Mbabane – Organisers of the fifth edition of the Lubombo Marathon have unveiled a E600 000 working budget for the April 11, 2026 race, underlining the scale of planning and financial commitment required as the event targets 2 000 participants and expanded corporate involvement.
Athletics Eswatini (AE) president and Lubombo Marathon director, Zakhele Dlamini, said the budget reflects the true cost of hosting a race of growing stature, covering logistics, athlete welfare and race standards while ensuring an exciting and professionally run event. Dlamini explained that although the budget remains substantial, organisers have deliberately structured expenditure to balance cost-efficiency with quality, ensuring the marathon continues to meet expectations of athletes, sponsors and the community.
A significant portion of the budget is being offset through partnerships with the corporate sector, with Royal Eswatini Sugar Corporation (RESCorp) once again backing the event. Support has also been secured from Tabankulu Estates, while Ubombo Sugar has returned to provide both financial assistance and employee participation sponsorship.
Further financial support has been pledged by companies including MulaSport, Dixies International, NTT Toyota, KEV Logistics and Oracle Life Insurance, demonstrating increasing confidence from businesses both within and outside the Lubombo region.
To guarantee that the full budget is realised, organisers have established a dedicated committee tasked with mobilising funds and driving registrations. The committee is operating on a voluntary basis, with members contributing professional expertise to strengthen financial sustainability.
The Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs welcomed the structured budgeting approach, noting that the marathon’s steady growth in athlete numbers and sponsorship reflects its credibility and rising profile. Officials said the race presents a valuable platform for regional development and business exposure.
With funding plans in motion and sponsorship interest building, organisers are confident the E600 000 budget will translate into a competitive, well-supported Lubombo Marathon in 2026.
Discussion about this post