Middelburg can expect a further economic explosion following Saturday’s highly successful Nashua Loskop Marathon, which drew thousands of athletes and their families to town.

The marathon is the country’s fifth biggest road running event and a Comrades qualifier.

Apart from the 50km race, the marathon also offers the roaringly popular 21km Wild Challenge through the Loskop Nature Reserve, as part of the series.

The economic injections are set to continue over the next few months, with the MTE Mining Expo taking place on May 14.

On May 17, scores will again flock to Middelburg for the Derby between Hoërskool Middelburg and Hoër Tegniese Skool Middelburg.

If you’ve been to the HTS v Middies Derby, you’ll know that few local sporting events, apart from the Loskop Marathon, draw anything near the magnitude of crowds that the clash annually does.

In June, Craven Week is heading to Middelburg, followed directly by the Academic Week, showcasing South African schools’ rugby cream of the crop.

In August, the annual Train Race will take place, followed by the Mpumalanga and South African Cross-country Championships in both August and September.

Guest houses are fully booked, and bookings are streaming in for the coming events.

Restaurants and shopping centres will also be overrun with visitors, Middelburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry CEO Anna-Marth Ott said.

She told the Middelburg Observer that businesses should work together to squeeze as much juice from the opportunities to the benefit of all.
She urged local businesses to share in the spoils, instead of trying to benefit individually, to spread the jam evenly.

“There are major economic opportunities in the months ahead, and a fragmented approach could result in losses, which is counterproductive,” she said.
This weekend, more 10 000 outside visitors are expected.