MBABANE – The Imbube Marathon is bracing for its biggest field yet, with more than 8 000 runners already registered for the eighth edition.
A total of 8 136 participants registered by the closure of early-bird registration, surpassing organisers’ initial expectation of about 6 000 runners.
Eswatini National Provident Fund Senior Marketing and Communications Officer Mlungisi Dlamini confirmed the surge, stating that numbers exceeded projections.
The growth has already resulted in the 3.3km and 10km categories selling out. Late registration for the 21km and 42km races will open from October 12-16 ahead of the October 17 race.
The official launch of partnerships and sponsorships for the race was held at the Happy Valley Hotel and Casino over a month ago, bringing together key stakeholders including ENPF CEO Futhi Tembe and Ministry of Sports representatives.
The eighth edition has attracted E790 000 in direct financial sponsorships. Standard Bank leads contributions with E440 000. Old Mutual and Ubombo Sugar Limited contributed E100 000 each, while Unifoods injected E55 000 and the Industrial Development Company of Eswatini provided E50 000.
Buy n Save Spar contributed E20 000, whilst Lactalis Eswatini and Balondolozi added E15 000 and E10 000 respectively. Coca-Cola Beverages Eswatini joined as hydration partner with a replica cheque worth E298 058.68. Paratus Eswatini is providing connectivity valued at E90 000.
Government targets 10 000 participants for the tenth edition. Tembe noted the race started with 2 500 runners, following just over 5 000 last year. Appeal has also crossed borders, with a KwaZulu-Natal club confirming 120 athletes.
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