BARBERTON — Over 1,000 athletes ran through the rugged ridges of the Makhonjwa Mountains on Saturday as the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) staged its annual 4‑in‑1 marathon at the Makhonjwa World Heritage Site.
Sporting challenge meets tourism promotion
The event, which offered distances of 42.2km, 21.1km, 10km and 4.9km, drew competitors from across the country. Organisers said the race both qualifies finishers for the Comrades and Two Oceans marathons and showcases Mpumalanga’s landscape to domestic and visiting athletes.
Officials from the MTPA described the race as an opportunity to market the province’s adventure and eco‑tourism offering while supporting local businesses that benefit from the influx of participants and spectators.
Winners and participants
The female winner, Nomvula Sithole from Nkomazi, described the course as among the toughest she has tackled but said she was pleased with her result after a period of focused preparation. Ayanda Ngcobo from Pine Town in KwaZulu‑Natal was the overall male winner and said the route presented a stern test for first‑time entrants.
“I’m so happy about the first position. I was expecting it because I came prepared. I was training so hard for this race… I’m happy with the first position,” Sithole said.
Local impact and visitor experience
Race organisers and local tourism operators pointed to several direct benefits from the event:
- Increased bookings at guesthouses, lodges and B&Bs in Barberton and surrounding towns in the days leading up to the race.
- Spending by visitors at local restaurants, fuel stations and informal traders.
- National exposure for the Makhonjwa World Heritage Site as an attraction for trail runners and adventure tourists.
For residents of Barberton and the broader Ehlanzeni district, such events offer both short‑term economic activity and a platform to promote longer‑term conservation and tourism initiatives that depend on a healthy landscape.
Race details at a glance
| Distance | Key information |
|---|---|
| 42.2km | Full marathon; qualifies for Comrades and Two Oceans |
| 21.1km | Half marathon; popular with experienced trail runners |
| 10km | Shorter road/trail option for club runners |
| 4.9km | Fun run/walk; accessible to families and tourists |
Environment and trail management
Hosting a large event within a World Heritage Site requires careful coordination to protect sensitive habitats. MTPA officials said route planning incorporated measures to limit erosion and disturbance, and stewards were placed at key points to keep runners on designated tracks.
Environmental stewardship is an ongoing concern in the region. The Makhonjwa geology attracts both scientific interest and tourists; maintaining the integrity of trails and surrounding vegetation is essential for sustaining the visitor economy and protecting biodiversity.
What this means for future events
Organisers emphasised that the 4‑in‑1 format encourages participation across fitness levels, creating pathways for local runners to progress to longer distances and qualifying events while bringing visitors to Mpumalanga. The combination of sport and tourism is a deliberate strategy to diversify the provincial tourism product beyond traditional sight‑seeing.
As the province looks to expand adventure tourism, events such as the Makhonjwa race will be monitored for their economic contribution and environmental footprint. Local stakeholders said continued collaboration between tourism authorities, conservation agencies and community businesses will be central to balancing growth with protection of the landscape.
For runners and visitors planning to attend future events, organisers recommend booking accommodation early, carrying sufficient water for trail stages, and familiarising themselves with route profiles to ensure safety on steep and technical sections of the course.
Reporting from Barberton.
