MBABANE – Over E300 000 in prize money is up for grabs today at the prestigious Imbube Marathon at Somhlolo National Stadium.
According to the official Imbube Marathon 2025 website, the event—one of the country’s premier races—features the 42km marathon, 21km half marathon, 10km race and the 3.3km fun run, attracting over 6 000 local and international runners. Every participant stands to gain something, whether it is prize money, fitness or the thrill of the challenge. Reports suggest that His Majesty King Mswati III is expected to grace the event.
The 42km marathon, which starts at 5:30am, remains the headline race, with male and female winners each set to claim E35 000. The half-marathon is scheduled to start at 6am, followed by the 10km and 3.3km races at 6:30am.
A top liSwati winner could, therefore, walk away with a combined E70 000, if he wins the race as E35 000 is guaranteed for such an athlete, as well as being the first to cross the finish line, echoing last year when Mancoba Nhlabatsi of the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) won in 2:34:04 hours.
In the female category last year, Kenya’s Rholex Jelimo raced 2:57:02 hours to secure first place, taking home E35 000. Meanwhile, the first liSwati, Samkelisiwe Tfwala (REPS), crossed the line in 3:40:11, also claiming E35 000.
The 21km half-marathon offers E10 000 to the winner, an increase from E7 500 last year. Runners-up will receive half the winner’s prize.
The Imbube Marathon ranks among the region’s most lucrative events, putting Eswatini alongside major Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) road races. The cash prizes reward training, perseverance and athletic excellence, inspiring runners to push harder and aim for the podium.
The seventh edition of the Imbube Marathon, hosted by the Eswatini National Provident Fund (ENPF), is supported by nearly E1 million in total sponsorship value. This year’s total sponsorship package is E950 000, contributed by nine companies. Leading the way is Standard Bank with E350 000, while the total prize money alone exceeds E300 000.
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