The Mbabane Marathon is evolving beyond the traditional boundaries of competitive running, with the City of Mbabane positioning the annual event as a celebration of healthy living, community, tourism and the capital’s distinctive spirit.
Speaking at the launch of the eighth edition of the Mbabane Marathon on Friday, September 11, Mbabane Mayor Thulani Mkhonto said the marathon had become an important part of the city’s identity since it was introduced in 2018.
What began as a 10-kilometre race has steadily expanded, first introducing a 21-kilometre race and, in 2025, reaching a significant milestone with the introduction of the 42-kilometre full marathon.
Mkhonto said the growth of the event reflected the changing role of sport in the city.
“The Mbabane Marathon has grown into much more than a sporting event,” he said.
According to the Mayor, the marathon now represents endurance, healthy living, community, tourism and the spirit of Mbabane, bringing together athletes, families, volunteers, businesses and spectators.
The lifestyle dimension of the event is particularly evident in its emphasis on encouraging people to participate in physical activity and embrace healthier lifestyles. Beyond the competitive aspect, the marathon provides an opportunity for residents and visitors to experience Mbabane through movement, recreation and community interaction.
Mkhonto said the City of Mbabane was committed to establishing the capital as a premier destination for sport, recreation, tourism and major events.
He said the ambition was for Mbabane to be known not only as Eswatini’s administrative and commercial centre, but also as a place where people could come together, participate, compete, have fun and create memorable experiences.
Building a City Around Experiences
For Mkhonto, the continued development of the marathon is also linked to the broader development of Mbabane.
He challenged organisers and partners to improve the event each year, particularly in areas such as athlete experience, safety and organisation. He also called for greater participation from across Eswatini, the SADC region and beyond.
The Mayor said a stronger marathon could help promote Mbabane as a destination while contributing to the city’s economic development.
The event’s growth also demonstrates how sporting activities can become part of the lifestyle and tourism offering of a city, creating opportunities for people to explore the capital while taking part in an active and social experience.
Partnerships Remain Central
Mkhonto acknowledged that an event of the scale of the Mbabane Marathon could not be delivered by the municipality alone.
He thanked MTN MoMo for its partnership with the marathon, as well as MTN Fintech, government representatives, sporting organisations, emergency services, volunteers, technical officials, council staff and the media.
He said these partnerships were essential to ensuring that the marathon continued to grow and deliver a quality experience for participants.
As the eighth edition approaches, Mkhonto’s message is that the marathon should continue to reflect the character of the capital, active, welcoming and ambitious.
He wished the organisers, partners and athletes’ success before concluding with a simple aspiration for the 2026 edition:
“May the 8th edition be bigger. May it be better. And may it once again demonstrate the indomitable spirit of Mbabane.”
