TRACN4 Elands Marathon | 2027

The TRAC N4 Elands Marathon 2027 takes place on Saturday, 27 February 2027, through the spectacular Elands Valley in Mpumalanga. Hosted by the Nedbank Mpumalanga LVCC Running Club and sponsored by TRAC, this fast, mostly downhill event follows the N4 Maputo Corridor before finishing at the Sappi Skills Training Centre in Ngodwana.

🔥 Participants can choose between the 42.2km Marathon, 21.1km Half Marathon and returning 10km event. The marathon is a Comrades Marathon and Two Oceans Marathon qualifier, while its significant net descent makes the Elands Marathon a popular choice for runners chasing fast qualifying times.

🏅 Race Distances & Entry Fees

🔥 42.2km Marathon

• Entry Fee: R360
• Compulsory Bus Fee: R90
• Start Time: 05:30
• Start: Laerskool Oosterlijn, eMgwenya / Waterval Boven
• Minimum Age: 20 years
• Comrades Marathon Qualifier
• Two Oceans Marathon Qualifier

⚡ 21.1km Half Marathon

• Entry Fee: R210
• Compulsory Bus Fee: R90
• Start Time: 06:00
• Start: Malaga Hotel on the N4
• Minimum Age: 16 years

🌿 10km

• Entry Fee: R150
• Start Time: 05:30
• Start & Finish: Sappi Skills Training Centre, Ngodwana
• Minimum Age: 14 years
• Flat, off-road route through the Sappi Ngodwana Cattle Farm
• No bus required

📍 Event Details

Date: Saturday, 27 February 2027

Location: Elands Valley, Mpumalanga

Finish: Sappi Skills Training Centre, Ngodwana

Host: Nedbank Mpumalanga LVCC Running Club

Distances: 42.2km, 21.1km & 10km

First Start: 05:30

Entries: Open

Entries Close: 10 February 2027, or earlier if the entry cap is reached

Race-Day Entries: Not available

Timing: Mat-to-mat, with open winners decided gun-to-mat

⛰️ Marathon Route Profile

The 42.2km Marathon starts high in eMgwenya before descending through the Elands Valley along the N4 towards Ngodwana.

• Start Elevation: 1,468m
• Highest Point: 1,471m
• Finish Elevation: 931m
• Total Climbing: 343m
• Total Descent: 874m
• Average Gradient: -2.7%

With more than twice as much descending as climbing, the route offers plenty of opportunity for runners targeting a fast marathon time.

🚌 Compulsory Race Buses

Bus transport is compulsory for the 42.2km and 21.1km races and costs R90.

42.2km

• Recommended parking: Sappi Skills Training Centre, Ngodwana
• First Bus: 02:30
• Last Bus: 04:30
• Destination: Marathon start in eMgwenya

21.1km

• Recommended parking: Sappi Skills Training Centre, Ngodwana
• First Bus: 04:40
• Last Bus: 05:20
• Destination: Malaga Hotel

The 10km starts and finishes in Ngodwana, so no bus transport is required.

🎽 Race Pack Collection

📅 Friday, 26 February 2027

Race packs must be collected at the official pre-race expo.

⚠️ There will be no race-pack collection on race morning.

The N4 will be fully closed to traffic from 03:00, so runners should carefully plan their transport and parking arrangements.

💰 Discounts & Add-Ons

👟 Temporary Licence: R100

👕 Official Race Shirt: R200

🔄 Substitution Fee: R100

👴 Athletes aged 60+: 50% discount on the entry fee

🌍 International Athletes: Additional R100

👕 Apparel orders close on 26 January 2027.

✨ Race-Day Highlights

🎯 Comrades and Two Oceans qualifying marathon

⛰️ Fast, predominantly downhill marathon course

🌄 Spectacular running through the Elands Valley

🛣️ Total road closure on the N4 during the event

⏱️ Professional mat-to-mat timing

💙 Pre-entries qualify for Vitality points

🚫 Seconding and pacing are not permitted

🎧 Earphones are not permitted and may result in disqualification

🏁 All three races finish at the Sappi Skills Training Centre in Ngodwana

⛰️ Race Down the Elands Valley!

Whether you're chasing a Comrades or Two Oceans qualifying time, taking on the 21.1km Half Marathon or enjoying the returning 10km, the TRAC N4 Elands Marathon 2027 offers a distinctive Mpumalanga running experience.

Expect mountain scenery, a fast descending route and an unforgettable journey through the Elands Valley to the finish in Ngodwana.