MBABANE – Registration for the eighth edition of the Mbabane Marathon is now open following the official launch of this year’s race.
The event was launched today, Friday, September 11, 2026, at the Hilton Garden Inn in the capital. It was launched by Minister for Public Service Mabulala Maseko, standing in for Minister for Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Bongwa Nzima, who performed the launch on behalf of the Municipal Council of Mbabane.
“I am pleased to announce that registration for the 2026 Mbabane Marathon opens immediately after this launch. I encourage athletes to register early and begin preparing for what promises to be another exciting edition of the marathon,” Maseko said.
The race will take place on Saturday, November 21, 2026. Local runners will register in three phases with varying fees, while international participants will pay fixed rates.
Last year the Mbabane Marathon graduated to a full marathon distance and attracted strong international interest. Kenya’s Rosina Kiboino won the women’s 42.2km title and South Africa’s Bonginkosi Mavuso claimed the men’s crown. Both winners received E20 000 (approximately US$1 242).
International entry fees for this year’s race have been set at E400 (US$25) for the full marathon, E350 (US$22) for the 21.1km, E300 (US$19) for the 10km and E250 (US$16) for the 5km.
Also present at the launch were Housing and Urban Development Minister Apollo Maphalala, MTN MoMo (MTN FinTech) Chief Executive Officer Sam Shongwe, Mbabane Mayor Thulani Mkhonta, Mbabane East MP Welcome Dlamini and other guests.
The sponsor of the race, MTN MoMo, announced a sponsorship of E276 000 (US$17 200) for this year’s event. CEO Shongwe said this is the third year of the partnership between the company and Mbabane.
Meanwhile, Athletics Eswatini President Zakhele Dlamini expressed pride in the association’s partnership with the municipality. Dlamini said they hope to help elevate the Mbabane Marathon into a Comrades Marathon qualifier, following the example of the Imbube and Lubombo marathons.
Past winners of the Mbabane Marathon
Women’s 42km;
Position Time Prize
1.Rosina Kiboino (Kenya) 3:23:37 E20 000
2. Nomvula Sithole 3:03:48 E10 000
3.Nelisiwe Magongo 3:52:01 E6 000
4.Msawenkhosi Nsibande 3:55:05 E3 200
5.Samkelisiwe Tfwala 4:01:09 E2 400
6.Caisile Shabangu 4:16:56 E1 6000
7.Sindi Ntanda 4:20:29 E800
8. Phumzile Maphalala 4:21:39 E600
Men’s 42km
1.Bonginkosi Mavuso 2:37:53 E20 000
2.Ntokozo Nkonyane 2:38:13 E10 000
3.Mancoba Nhlabatsi 02:41:22 E6 000
4.Samuel Mathabatha 2:42:59 E3 200
5.Malusi Dlomo 2:44:43 E2 400
6. Sandile Khumalo 2:44:44 E1 6000
7. Mancoba Sihlongonyane 2:49:47 E800
8. Omo Hlungwane 2:50:39 E600
Women’s 21km;
Position Time Prize
1.Thobile Ngwenyama 1:37:00 E7 000
2.Nongcebo Mathabela 1:39:03 E3 500
3. Sanelisiwe Mphaphu 1:42:32 E2 000
4. Tabita Tsatsa 1:45:55 E1 500
5. Nombulelo Shongwe 1:46:04 E1 000
6. Gugulethu Mthembu 1:48:11 E800
7. Colile Shiba 1:51:45 E700
8. Dobbie Zikalala 1:54:26 E600
Men’s 21km
1. Ncamiso Hlatshwako 1:11:02 E7 000
2. Samukelo Ngobese 1:14:04 E3 500
3. Mancoba Tsela 1:17:12 E2 000
4. Albert Kangor 1:17:28 E1 500
5. Melusi Khumalo 1:17:37 E1 000
6. Ntuthuko Maseko 1:18:06 E800
7. Sifiso Dlamini 1:18:25 E700
8.Sibusiso Shabangu 1:20:21 E600
Leave a comment