Elands Marathon to attract SA’s top runners

The TRACN4 Elands Marathon, which is the most picturesque Comrades qualifier in Mpumalanga, is once again upon us.

Presented by the Nedbank LVCC

Running Club and backed by Trans African Concessions (TRAC), this 42.2km road race will take place on March 2, amid the stunning scenery of the Elands Valley

The race, which is also a Two Oceans Marathon qualifier, will begin at Laerskool Oosterlijn in Emgwenya (Waterval Boven), and will see runners traverse down the escarpment and through the Waterval

Boven tunnel, before ultimately finishing at the Sappi Skills

Training Centre in

Ngodwana.

The event is set to draw in a bigger field than the 2023 event, including some of the nation’s finest road runners, adding a layer of competitiveness to the occasion.

Besides the full marathon, the 2024 TRACN4 Elands Marathon will also include two other road races - a half marathon (21.1km) and a 10km race. These are also expected to attract top-class athletes and road-running aficionados.

The TRACN4 Elands Marathon Expo, sponsored by Astron Energy, will return for the 2024 race. It will be held on March 1 at Milly’s on the N4 Route, from 11:00 to 8:00.

This expo will not only serve as the pre-race exhibition, where participating brands get to engage directly with athletes, it will also serve as the official race number collection point. The alternate race number collection venue is LVCC in Mbombela.

Registrations for the 2024 TRACN4 Elands Marathon are open until

February 18 and only online entries will be accepted. To register and obtain additional race information go to www.elandsmarathon.co.za.

According to TRAC’s communication manager, Solange Soares, the 2022 and 2023 races were so highly rated that it made sense for the concessionaire of the Maputo Corridor, where the race is being staged, to continue to support it.

“Engaging in road running as a sport or hobby can have a significant positive impact on one's overall health and well-being, which TRAC recognises as being of the utmost importance. Notably, this sport is among the few in the world that is readily accessible to all, aligning with our corporate social investment (CSI) goals,” said Soares.

Beth Bloch of the Nedbank LVCC Running Club is confident that this year’s marathon will be the best one yet.

“The club is ecstatic to again be hosting the popular race with TRAC’s backing. We pride ourselves on this event and are counting down the days to March 2. We are already hard at work behind the scenes to ensure that it will exceed the expectations of all participants and their supporters,” said Bloch.

For more information about the race, email entries@elandsmarathon.co.za or call 078 208 5183. Alternatively, visit www.elandsmarathon.co.za.