Firmly underscoring its reputation as one of Mpumalanga’s most popular races, entries for Saturday’s TRAC N4 Elands Marathon skyrocketed by more than 40% from last year’s number of entries to a whopping 5 122.

Touted as the fastest Comrades and Two Oceans qualifier in the province, TRAC N4’s spokesperson, Solange Soares, said the growth in number of entries not only shows the need for this race in the province but also demonstrated its popularity following three years of excellence.

While online entries closed on Sunday, February 16, substitutions will be accepted at all race number collection venues on Friday from 10:00 to 20:00.

As with previous years, the 2025 race will see runners compete in the 42.2km, 21.1km or 10km races.

The 42.2km, boasting 3 725 entries, starts at Laerskool Oosterlijn in Emgwenya (formerly Waterval Boven) at 05:30 and ends at the Sappi Skills Training Centre in Ngodwana. The 21.1km starts at 06:00 at the Malaga Hotel on the N4 and also finishes at the Sappi Skills Training Centre, while the 10km starts at 06:30 and ends at the same location.

Transportation to the the various starting points and from the finish will be provided by bus. For the 42.2km marathon, buses will collect the athletes who parked at the finish line between 02:30 and 04:30 and drop them off at Laerskool Oosterlijn. For the 21.1km half-marathon, the buses will pick up the athletes from various locations between 04:00 and 05:20, and drop them off at the Malaga Hotel.

After the race, the athletes who participated in the 42.2km marathon and who had parked at the starting point can catch one of the buses departing from the Sappi Skills Training Centre between 10:00 and 12:00. Returning buses for the 21.1km half-marathon will also depart between 10:00 and 12:00 and will drop athletes off at the Malaga Hotel.

Participants can collect their race number from the TRAC N4 Elands Marathon Expo at Milly’s on February 28 from 10:00 to 20:00 or LVCC in Steiltes, Mbombela, at the same time.

Road closures

To accommodate the marathon, a couple of road closures and traffic diversions will be in place. Non-marathon traffic on the N4 will be diverted via the Schoemanskloof from 02:00 to 12:00 at the Montrose interchange, Crossroads interchange and the Ngodwana/Kaapsehoop intersection.

The N4 will be closed between the Emgwenya intersection and the Ngodwana Load Control Centre intersection from 03:15 to 12:00. Access to Sappi and the Ngodwana Mill road will be via the Schoemanskloof route from the Montrose interchange side or via the Kaapsehoop road.

To ensure all participants are safe during the event, seconding will not be permitted along the route. Any athlete found receiving private assistance during the race will face disqualification.

“With thousands of runners and supporters expected, this year’s marathon is set to be a spectacular event, further cementing its place as one of the premier races in South Africa,” Soares said.

Participants as well as members of the public requiring more information can visit www.elandsmarathon.co.za or call 082 801 3600.