The TRACN4 Elands Marathon, the fastest Comrades and Two Oceans qualifier in the province, continues to go from strength to strength, attracting an ever-increasing number of elite and social runners alike.

Entries for the 2026 edition reached record levels, with about 5 550 runners set to take to the road for the fifth running of the event since its relaunch in 2022.

The Nedbank Mpumalanga Running Club LVCC reintroduced the marathon in partnership with TRAC after an 11-year hiatus and has grown steadily each year.
Entries for 2026 poured in from the moment registrations opened last year, and both the organising club and the title sponsor are delighted.

This milestone reflects not only the demand for another flagship marathon in the province, but also the race’s growing reputation following four consecutive years of excellence.
Although online entries closed in mid-February, substitutions will be permitted at all race collection venues on Friday, February 27, from 10:00 to 20:00.

The 2026 event will feature a 42.2km and 21.1km race.
A total of 1 207 athletes will line up for the half-marathon, while 4 342 runners will contest the 42km event.

The 42.2km race will start at 05:30 from Laerskool Oosterlijn in Emgwenya (Waterval Boven) and finish at the Sappi Skills Training Centre in Ngodwana.
The 21.1km race will begin at 06:00 from the Malaga Hotel on the N4 and will also conclude at the Sappi Skills Training Centre.

Transportation by Buscor

Transport to the starts:
Buses for the 42.2km race will depart from the Sappi Skills Training Centre in Ngodwana between 02:30 and 04:30, transporting runners to Laerskool Oosterlijn in Emgwenya.
21.1km participants can board buses from the same venue between 04:40 and 05:20 to the Malaga Hotel.
Additional buses leaving from Laerskool Oosterlijn in Emgwenya during the same time to the Malaga Hotel.
Transport from the finish:
After the race, buses will depart from the Sappi Skills Training Centre in Ngodwana between 09:30 and 12:00 for both distances, returning runners to Laerskool Oosterlijn in Emgwenya, with onward buses to Emgwenya and Malaga departing hourly from 09:30.

Traffic advisory for February 28 (race day)
To accommodate the marathon, road users should take note of the following road closures and diversions:
Traffic diversion via Schoemanskloof
Start: 02:00. End: 12:00
All traffic will be diverted via Schoemanskloof at Montrose Interchange, Crossroads Interchange, and the Ngodwana/Kaapsehoop Intersection. Road users are advised to allow an additional one hour for travel due to roadworks on Schoemanskloof.

Full road closure
Start: 02:00. End: 12:00
The N4 will be closed between the Emgwenya (Waterval Boven) intersection and the Ngodwana Load Control Centre intersection.