Imbube Marathon | RULES AND REGULATIONS

RULES AND REGULATIONS

These rules and regulations set out what entrants need to do to enter the ENPF Imbube Marathon. They also provide information regarding restrictions on entrants when participating in the race, what the prizes are and how they can be won. It is very important for you to understand these rules.

DEFINITIONS

Entrant

any person who successfully enters the Imbube Marathon

ENPF Imbube Marathon

the 42.2km, 21.1km, 10km and 3.3km race which will be sponsored by the Eswatini National Provident Fund and held at Somhlolo National Stadium in Ezulwini on 17th October 2026, and any and all related events or functions, regardless of whether they are held before, during or after the race itself.

Organisers

the ENPF and any of its appointed officials, employees or agencies

ENTRY TO IMBUBE MARATHON AND PRIZE MONEY

All Entrants must submit fully and correctly completed entry forms and proof of payment at www.imbubemarathon.com or any of the designated registration sites. Incomplete entry forms will result in the entrant’s race registration being unsuccessful.
The Organisers will not be responsible for any disputes, loss or damage arising from incomplete entry details. This means that the entrant cannot hold the Organisers responsible for any disputes, loss or damage as a result of mistakes by entrants in completing an entry form.
For safety and capacity-constraint reasons we are limiting the events to 5160 participants. Therefore entrance to the Imbube Marathon will be closed once all of the slots have been allocated (700 participants for the 42.2km, 1500 participants for the 21.1km, 2000 participants for the 10km run and 300 participants for the 3.3 km). The slots will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis. Closing date for registrations is Midnight 16th October 2026 (late registration for the 21.1km and 42.2km only) or once each distance has reached its capacity (whichever comes first). The 3.3km and 10km races are SOLD OUT.
Imbube Marathon 2026 will not allow anyone under the age of 20 years to compete in the full marathon. No one under the age of 18 years is allowed to compete in the half marathon and no one under the age of 14 years is allowed to compete in the 10km run. This is in line with international athletics standards. Entrants within the ages of 14 and 17 years will be required to provide an indemnity signed by their parents or legal guardian. Please print the indemnity form (Click here to download the form) and bring to race pack collection.
The Organisers reserve the right to limit or refuse entries and are not obliged to give reasons for doing so. The Organisers do, however, warrant that no limitation or refusal of entries will constitute discriminatory marketing.
Prize winners must prove their age and identity with a passport or national identification document. This documentation must be produced when receiving awards or prize money.
Anti-doping rules apply. Winners and record-breakers may be tested.
International athletes must provide a clearance letter from their home sports federation on demand. Prize money will not be paid until the clearance certificate is produced.

ENTRY FEE

The entry fee for the:

42.2km = E365

21.1km = E335

10km = E310

3.3km = Free

Early registration (1 May – 30 July 2026): fees as above, no penalty

Mid registration (1 August – 30 September 2026): E100 penalty

Late registration (1 – 10 October 2026): E150 penalty

Extended late registration (12 – 16 October 2026, 21.1km and 42.2km only): 21.1km = E485 | 42.2km = E515

*Per entrant and is inclusive of VAT

** Elderly athletes are those aged 60 years and older. Disabled athletes are those with a physical disability.

Payment of the entry fee can be made in the following ways:
Online through the secure electronic payment system on the registration platform using your MasterCard, Visa credit card, approved Debit Cards or via EFT;
Once the entry form has been duly processed, within reason, there will be no refund of entry fees to an entrant who, for whatever reason, cannot participate.
Payments – please note that it is the entrant’s responsibility to ensure that they enter the correct event when entering online or at a site. Entries incorrectly entered will not be amended and NO REFUNDS will be processed. Duplicate payment for the same entry will also NOT BE REFUNDED. Please take special note of the category options available and the age restrictions which apply. Any payments made directly into the Imbube Marathon Account without an entry or after the official closing date, either 16 October 2026 or when limits have been reached, will also NOT be refunded.
Substitutions can only be done within a distance, not across a distance.
NO DOWNGRADES are allowed on the standard marathon (42.2km), and no downgrades to the 10km are allowed as it is sold out.

PRIVACY POLICY

By continuing to use this website, you agree to the terms and conditions of this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with this privacy policy, please do not continue to use the website.
Incomplete entry forms will result in the entrant’s race registration being unsuccessful.
ENPF wishes to balance its legitimate business interests when collecting and using your personal information and your reasonable expectation of privacy. In this respect, ENPF will take reasonable technical and organisational measures to prevent loss of, damage to, or unauthorised destruction of personal information and unlawful access to or processing of personal information.
You agree that ENPF may collect, collate, process and/or store your personal information provided by you during the registration process and possibly other relevant times for purposes of verifying your identity, providing you with access to the website and conducting research. ENPF will not disclose your personal Information without your consent. Should the entrant “Opt In” during the registration process for future communications, ENPF will communicate future runs and or promotions to the Entrant from time to time. Should the Entrant “Opt Out”, all data pertaining to the Entrant will be responsibly destroyed after 30 days of race day.

CONDUCT ON THE DAY OF THE MARATHON EVENTS

All entrants must bring proof of identification, which can either be a valid Driver’s License, ID or Passport and confirmation of entry to collect their race pack on the date of collection
If entrants are not available to collect their race packs, they must use the attached Letter of Authorisation (Click here to download the form) to allow someone to collect the race packs on their behalf. Please note that race packs can only be collected during the prescribed times, no late collections will be accommodated.
Entrants will be provided with a commemorative race t-shirt. Entrants will not be allowed to change the size of the t-shirt contained in the race pack upon collection of the race pack. Entrants must ensure that they order the correct size t-shirts to ensure that all sizes ordered by participants will be available. The Organiser has used its best efforts to ensure that all sizes ordered by entrants will be available. However, if because of circumstances beyond the Organiser’s control, the Organiser runs out of a particular size, all attempts will be made to match the t-shirt sizes as close as possible to the entrant’s requests.
There will be photographers and videographers capturing entrants during the event. By entering the Imbube Marathon entrants authorize and permit ENPF and their sponsors the right in perpetuity and throughout the world, without any payment, to use the entrant’s photograph, video or film portrayal, image, likeness and voice in any media, including, but not limited to live television cover, catalogues, brochures, displays and any other printed or written material in connection therewith, for the purpose of advertising or promoting ENPF, the Imbube Marathon and related activities. Commercial photographers will be taking pictures at the event. Participants would need to confirm this service with the commercial photographers. There is no guarantee that your image will be captured and ENPF and its sponsors cannot be held responsible for not capturing or identifying an entrant.

RACE SCHEDULE AND CUT-OFF TIMES

All races start adjacent to the main gate of Somhlolo National Stadium and end inside the stadium. Athletes must arrive at the stadium 30 minutes before their start time.
42.2km: Start 05:30 | Cut-off 11:00 (5 hours 30 minutes)
21.1km: Start 06:00 | Cut-off 09:00 (3 hours)
10km: Start 06:30 | Cut-off 08:30 (2 hours)
3.3km: Start 07:00 | Cut-off 07:30 (30 minutes)

CONDUCT DURING THE IMBUBE MARATHON

The race will be run under the Athletics Eswatini competition rules. In matters not covered by these rules, the current World Athletics Technical and Competition Rules will apply.
Entrants who elect to walk may only participate in the 10km and stick to the left side of the lane so as to allow the runners to pass by without obstruction
Information on complete road closures will be announced closer to race day
Unfortunately, no pets or any form of wheel-operated objects that enhance movement will be allowed in the Imbube Marathon as the designated routes are not accessible for pets or wheel-operated objects e.g. no inline skates, prams, skateboards or mechanical wheelchairs
The Organizers reserve the right to remove any entrant deemed physically incapable of continuing the Imbube Marathon, to prevent them from causing harm or injury to themselves or others

THE OUTCOME OF IMBUBE MARATHON EVENT

Each entrants finishing time will be calculated in accordance with their electronic timing chips.
The Organizers will then work out the finishing order based on the times calculated by the timing chips
A medal is not guaranteed for runners who finish after the official cut-off time. Only runners who complete their race within the official cut-off times will receive a medal.
Protests can be made verbally to the appropriate race referee.
Appeals must be submitted in writing to the competition secretary, accompanied by a fee of $100 USD (or the local equivalent). The decision of the Jury of Appeal is final.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

Whilst the Organisers will take all reasonable steps to ensure the entrants’ safety during participation in the Imbube Marathon and any events relating to it, participation in the Imbube Marathon will be at the entrants’ own risk. This means that if the entrant agrees to enter the Imbube Marathon and participates in any related events, the entrant will do so on the basis that if they suffer any injury, harm or any loss whilst participating, even if it was caused by the negligence of the Organizers, they will have no claim against the Organisers. The entrant will be responsible to pay for any harm or losses they suffer.
The Organizers reserve the right to amend these rules and regulations without giving prior notice or reason for the amendment. The Organizers will, however, give notice of any significant amendments to the rules and regulations on www.imbubemarathon.com as well as on the day of the Imbube Marathon Events.

GENERAL

To the extent that it is found that any clause in these rules and regulations is in conflict with law, that clause will be removed from this document and where practical, feasible and lawful, the remainder of this document will be enforceable against the parties.
The Organizers reserve the right to use any photographs, motion pictures, recordings or any other record of this event for any legitimate purpose including commercial advertising.

RULES FOR IMBUBE MARATHON

Athletes indemnify the national, provincial and regional bodies, sponsors and organisers of the race against any or all actions of whatsoever nature, whatever the same maybe arising out of their participation in the race.
No walkers allowed in the Marathon and the Half Marathon
No personal seconding, personal assistance or following vehicles are allowed. Only official competition vehicles and staff are permitted.
Regret no wheelchair athletes due to the route layout of the 42km, 21km and 10km.
No blade, cyclist or mechanically operated device allowed in the race.
No animals/pets
Minimum ages:

14yr – 10km

18yr – 21.1km

20yr – 42.2km

All traffic officers and officials instructions to be obeyed.

Participants are not allowed to use Earphones, iPods etc. during the race for safety reasons. Use of these items will lead to disqualification. This excludes hearing aid devices.
This event is being timed with the ChampionChip system
No Chip – No Result – No Prize rule applies
Age categories: Juniors – 19 years and below; Veteran (VET) – 40–49 years; Master – 50–59 years; Grand Master – 60+ years.
Race numbers must be worn on the front of the vest and remain visible at all times. Selling or substituting race numbers is strictly forbidden.
Age/category tags must be worn on the front and back, positioned above the race number. Athletes competing in a category without tags will be classified under the Open category.
Lost or damaged race numbers must be reported to the race referee or race organisers immediately.