Organiser
Malibamat'so Marathon
KINDLY NOTE: RUNNERS AND SPECTATORS COMING ON TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN FOR THE EVENT ARE HIGHLY ENCOURAGED TO BRING CASH THEY WILL NEED ON RACE WEEKEND. SOME SHOPS, RESTAURANTS AND ENTERTAINMENT PLACES MIGHT NOT OFFER SWIPING CARDS FACILITIES, ATMs ALSO SOMETIMES RUNS OUT OF CASH. SOUTH AFRICA'S RANDS ARE ACCEPTED AS CASH PAYMENT ANYWHERE IN LESOTHO.
BEFORE DRIVING UP ON THE MOUNTAIN - FILL UP YOUR CAR'S TANKS/ WITHDRAW CASH AT PLACES LIKE BUTHABUTHE, MAPUTSOE OR HLOTSE (LAST GARAGE ON A25 MAIN ROAD WITH ATMs, THAKADU ENERGY).
DRIVING ON THE MOUNTAIN - ANY LIGHT/HEAVY/4x4/4x2 VEHICLES, STAY IN LOW GEAR WHILST ASCENDING OR DESCENDING. AVOID DRIVING AT NIGHT AND DRIVE DURING THE DAYLIGHT.
ANIMALS ON THE MOUNTAIN - ALWAYS BE ON A LOOKOUT FOR ANIMALS & SHEPHERDS CROSSING THE ROAD
Malibamat’so Marathon event takes place from Katse Dam to Ha Lejone on the 9th MARCH 2024 (SATURDAY, 06H00AM). Malibamat'so Marathon it’s a high altitude running event located in the Kingdom of Lesotho (Leribe District), a country geographically enclaved within the border of South Africa. Locations of the event are renowned for pleasant environment, scenic natural water features and clean air.
The race is derived from the indigenous river name of Malibamat’so (pronounced 'Madiba' 'ma' 'cho'), a seSotho name which loosely translates to “black river”. The river flows southwards past the villages of Ha Lejone, Mamohau and Mphorosane, through Katse Dam wall and eventually joining Senqu River 5km northeast of Mohlanapeng. Senqu River channels water to Mohale Dam, which is connected to Katse Dam by a 32km long tunnel. From Katse Dam as the transfer reservoir, water is funneled through an 82km underground tunnel which passes mid-way the Muela Hydropower Station into the Ash River Outfall at Clarens (Free State, South Africa). Muela Hydropower Station generates and supply electricity in Lesotho for domestic use. From Ash River Outfall, water flows along a succession of natural waterways into the Vaal Dam, the main reservoir in the industrialized and rapidly expanding economic powerhouse of Gauteng Province (South Africa). Nearly 800 million cubic meters of water is sold to South Africa by Lesotho in a year.
CHARITY
Malibamat'so Marathon partnered with and raise funds for STEERS OF HOPE charity organization. STEERS OF HOPE is a registered Non-Governmental Organization raising awareness about cancer, giving support to cancer patients and survivors, people living with HIV/AIDS, orphans and vulnerable children. Any donation, large or small will make a difference to the cause of STEERS OF HOPE.
What's included in my entry?
- Event Performance T-Shirt
- Race Number, Safety Pins & Timing Chip
- Finisher's Race Medal
- Finisher's Race Certificate
- 12 x Refreshments Stations on Route
- Winning category prizes
Categories
Age categories are determined by the runner's age on race day for both men and women
| JUNIOR | U/20 |
| OPEN | 20 - 39 |
| VETERAN | 40 - 49 |
| MASTER | 50 - 59 |
| GRAND MASTER | 60 - 69 |
| GREAT GRAND MASTER | 70+ |
Rules
- Malibamat'so Marathon adheres to standard running industry policy.
- All entry fees are non-refundable, non-transferable to next year's event and there are no exceptions.
- Athletes indemnify the national and district bodies, sponsors and organizers of the race against any or all actions of whatsoever nature, whatever the same may arise out of their participation in the race.
- Athletes acknowledge by entering the event they are medically and physically fit to participate.
- All athletes competing or not competing for category prizes must wear race numbers clearly visible from front to back.
- Race numbers must not cover the logos on the license.
- International athletes must provide a valid passport at the border.
- Runners will start in batches according to their seeding categories, two minutes apart.
- 10km slow runners must give way to approaching fast runners of 21km, also 21km slow runners must give way to approaching fast runners of 42km.
- No blades, cyclist or mechanically operated device allowed in the race.
- No listening devices (eg. earphones, headphones, etc) allowed to be used while running/walking for your own safety and in an event of emergency evacuation guided by safety officials.
- All traffic and safety officials' instructions to be obeyed.
- Medical support will be present on race day and have authority to take an athlete off the road.
- Anti-Doping Rules applies to winners of prize money and will only be paid once Drug Testing Results are received.
- Any race timing chancers and cheaters will automatically be disqualified.
- No pets will be allowed.
- Cut-off time for 42KM is 14h00.
For More Race Information:
Registration/ Mpesa/ EcoCash/ General Enquiries, kindly Contact/WhatsApp: +266 6709 4028/ +266 5948 2514/ +266 5019 0881
Accommodation near Event for Booking:
- Motebong Lodge, Ha Lejone - Contact/WhatsApp (Tseko): +266 5974 4567
- Umbrella Guest House, Ha Lejone - Contact/WhatsApp (Khotso): +266 5948 2276 / +266 5019 0881
- Bahlakoana Guest House, Ha Lejone - Contact/WhatsApp (Lebusa): +266 5048 0708 / +266 5664 5616
- Chocks Guest House, Ha Lejone - Contact/WhatsApp (Thandi): +266 5179 5134
- Bruvita Guest House, Katse - Contact/WhatsApp (Makhabane): +266 5330 4007
- Aloes Guest House, Pitseng - Contact/WhatsApp (Mamokabai): +266 5857 3261
- Mahlakapese Guest House, Hlotse - Contact/WhatsApp: +266 5948 0814
More information: www.entryninja.com/events/77839-malibamatso-marathon
This event supports team entries for certain classes. Team sizes range from 5 - 15 participants per team.
Images of the event
Malibamat'so Marathon
Classes and pricing
Available classes for the event
| Class | Distance | Start Time | Price (pp) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
21km (Lesotho)
(Athletes residing inside Lesotho) Free Event Performance T-Shirt Race Number, Safety Pins & Timing Chip Finisher's Race Medal Finisher's Race Certificate 6 x Refreshment Stations on Route; Winning category prizes |
21 km | 07:00 | R 250.00 |
|
10km (Lesotho)
(Athletes residing inside Lesotho) Free Event Performance T-Shirt Race Number, Safety Pins & Timing Chip Finisher's Race Medal Finisher's Race Certificate 2 x Refreshment Stations on Route; Winning category prizes |
10 km | 06:30 | R 250.00 |
|
10km (South Africa, eSwatini, Botswana, Mozambique, etc)
(Athletes residing outside Lesotho) Free Event Performance T-Shirt, Race Number, Safety Pins & Timing Chip Finisher's Race Medal Finisher's Race Certificate 2 x Refreshment Stations on Route; Winning category prizes |
10 km | 06:30 | R 350.00 |
|
42km (Lesotho)
(Athletes residing inside Lesotho) Free Event Performance T-Shirt, Race Number, Safety Pins & Timing Chip Finisher's Race Medal Finisher's Race Certificate 12 x Refreshment Stations on Route; Winning category prizes |
42 km | 07:00 | R 250.00 |
|
42km (South Africa, eSwatini, Botswana, Mozambique,etc)
(Athletes residing outside Lesotho) Free Event Performance T-Shirt, Race Number, Safety Pins & Timing Chip Finisher's Race Medal Finisher's Race Certificate 12 x Refreshment Stations on Route; Winning category prizes |
42 km | 07:00 | R 350.00 |
|
21km (South Africa, eSwatini, Botswana, Mozambique, etc)
(Athletes residing outside Lesotho) Free Event Performance T-Shirt, Race Number, Safety Pins & Timing Chip Finisher's Race Medal Finisher's Race Certificate 6 x Refreshment Stations on Route; Winning category prizes |
21 km | 07:00 | R 350.00 |
Event location
Katse Dam, Lesotho, Lejone
| Route information | The 42km challenging route it’s an open road, running alongside breathtakingly beautiful mountain ranges and spectacular Malibamat'so River flow path, the race course will get your feet moving. Starting at Katse Dam, the route immediately takes you 1,4km downhill across an iconic landmark of Katse Dam wall. Katse Dam is a double-curved concrete wall, 185m high and stretches 700m long. First 4km of the route it's on A25 tar road with an inclined steep at 3km, the route then splits onto a well maintained 25km gravel road. First experience of the twists and turns route begins between the mountains and river. On the 25km gravel road, runners winds through two inclined steeps (6km and 11km marks), villages that includes three schools and Half Marathon Starting Point Gantry. The route turns left and rejoins A25 tar road at 29km mark, immediately begins a 1,5km downhill through Mphorosane Village to another iconic landmark of Malibamat'so Bridge. The bridge is an 86m high box girder stretching 465m long with a 10,5m wide deck, it also rests on 9 spectacular piers. From the bridge, runners will explore great views of visible cluster of circular Katse Fish Farms that produces finest trout for which Lesotho is famed. The twists and turns route continues between the mountain and river, passing the 32km mark (10km Starting Point Gantry) at 132kV Katse Dam Intake Substation and the entrance to Katse Fish Farms. As the route begins an uphill grind at 35km mark, runners will gradually turn to a flat surface that venture past Mamohau Hospital by 39km mark. Runners then veers off to the last 3km high tempo finish in Ha Lejone, where they are met with roaring vuvuzelas and ululating spectators. Parking available next to Ha Lejone Finishing Point, inside Motebong Lodge, Umbrella Guest House and Chocks Guest House. Taxis and Buses available in Ha Lejone to ferry runners at 42km, 21km & and 10km Starting Points (04h00am - 05h00am). Race pack collection available from 02/03/2023 - 04/03/2023 on Thursday, Friday (Motebong Lodge & Umbrella Guesthouse, 09h00am - 18h00pm), Saturday at Ha Lejone Finishing Point Gantry (04h00am - 05h00am). COME AND EXPERIENCE AFRICA'S 'KINGDOM IN THE SKY'!! #HUGAMOUNTAIN |
| Coordinates | -29.336944, 28.506111 |
| Address | A25 Main Road to Katse Dam, Ha Lejone, Leribe District, LESOTHO |
| City | Lejone |
| Province | Leribe |
Registration Number: 2015/141112/07