The Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) has injected M300 000 into the revival of the Mokhotlong Highlands Marathon, with organisers targeting at least 650 runners for the December race.
The Authority has officially partnered with Eventful Moments to stage the 2026 LHDA Mokhotlong Highlands Marathon, scheduled for 6 December 2026, as part of activities marking the 40th anniversary of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP).
The marathon is expected to attract local and international athletes and will comprise five categories, the flagship 42.2km marathon, 21.1km half marathon, 10km, 5km and a 1.6km children’s race for participants under the age of 12.
All five races will finish at the Senqu Bridge, a major infrastructure landmark constructed under Phase II of the LHWP and inaugurated in April this year.
The event marks the return of the Mokhotlong Marathon after Eventful Moments staged a similar race in 2024. The competition was not held in 2025, with financial challenges among the reasons for its absence.
LHDA Chief Executive TenteTente said the partnership with Eventful Moments demonstrated the Authority’s commitment to using project infrastructure and investment to create wider benefits for communities.
Tente said the 40th anniversary of the LHWP provided an opportunity to reflect on four decades of engineering and national development, while also exploring ways in which the project could generate benefits beyond water infrastructure.
“This opportunity, this milestone provides an opportunity not only to celebrate four decades of engineering excellence and national development, but it also demonstrates that project investment can continue to create value for the communities in tourism, wellness, enterprise development, and social inclusion,” Tente said.
He said the marathon would promote the highlands as a tourism destination while encouraging active lifestyles and supporting local economic activity.
According to Tente, the high-altitude environment would also provide elite athletes with an opportunity to train and compete at altitude, while recreational runners would be able to experience Mokhotlong’s scenery, culture and hospitality.
“We are particularly proud that the race will culminate at the iconic Senqu Bridge, which was inaugurated in April this year,” he said.
Tente said the Authority wanted the marathon to become a catalyst for sustainable economic opportunities in Mokhotlong, particularly by involving businesses across the tourism value chain.
“We want this marathon to become a catalyst for sustainable economic opportunity in Mokhotlong by creating meaningful participation across the tourism value chain, from accommodation providers and transport operators to local tour guides,” he said.
He added that tourism development and investment were among the key pillars of the LHDA’s 10-Year Strategy, given the sector’s potential to stimulate economic activity, create livelihoods and position project areas as tourism destinations.
Speaking on behalf of Eventful Moments, Tšoinyane Rapapa said the marathon would contribute to the promotion of Mokhotlong as a destination for tourism, high-altitude training and community-led enterprises.
Rapapa said organisers were targeting at least 650 runners from Lesotho and abroad.
“We have set ourselves a target to reach at least 650 runners from both local and foreign participation, and we will do our best to reach that,” Rapapa said.
He said the race’s high-altitude setting could help attract elite international runners, adding that the marathon’s 42.2km route would reach elevations of up to 3 482 metres above sea level at ThabanaNtlenyana, Lesotho’s highest point.
The race is therefore being positioned not only as a sporting competition but also as a platform for sports tourism and destination branding.
With the route ending at the Senqu Bridge, organisers expect the event to combine athletics with the natural and cultural attractions of the Mokhotlong highlands while marking four decades of the LHWP.
Rapapa said details of the prize money for the various categories would be announced at a later stage.
Summary
- Tente said the 40th anniversary of the LHWP provided an opportunity to reflect on four decades of engineering and national development, while also exploring ways in which the project could generate benefits beyond water infrastructure.
- “This opportunity, this milestone provides an opportunity not only to celebrate four decades of engineering excellence and national development, but it also demonstrates that project investment can continue to create value for the communities in tourism, wellness, enterprise development, and social inclusion,” Tente said.
- With the route ending at the Senqu Bridge, organisers expect the event to combine athletics with the natural and cultural attractions of the Mokhotlong highlands while marking four decades of the LHWP.
Seabata Mahao is a general news reporter with special focus on Business and Sports. Started working at Newsday in 2021. Working in a team with a shared goal is what I enjoy most and that gives me the motivation to work under any environment leading to growth.
