Rossing Marathon

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Sports & AdventureSwakopmund

DatesDates TBA · Usually MarchCheck locally before booking

Duration1 dayListed event span

Crowd-Public scale varies

Best forCompetition, enduranceThe Rossing Marathon's standing as Namibia's

LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: NAD

CategorySports & AdventureFestival type

The story

Rossing Marathon in Swakopmund

The Rossing Marathon, formally the Rossing National Marathon, is Namibia's premier road running event, held each March in Swakopmund since 1991 through a long-running partnership between Rossing Uranium mine and the Swakop Striders Running Club. The race offers a full 42km marathon, a 21km Frank Slabbert half marathon, and a 10km run, with a 2026 edition drawing a record 4,500 registered runners.

The Rossing Marathon traces its origins to 1991, when a group of employees at the Rossing Uranium mine, united by a shared passion for running, founded the Swakop Striders Running Club and approached the mine's management with a proposal to host an annual marathon in the coastal town of Swakopmund.

Your trip starts here

What is special

The part that makes it specific.

The place changes

The Rossing Marathon's standing as Namibia's oldest and most prestigious road race rests on its 35-year unbroken partnership between a major mining company and a grassroots running club, an unusually durable sponsorship arrangement in Namibian sport

The mystery stays covered

Its course runs along a dramatic contrast of landscapes, the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Namib Desert's golden dunes on the other, giving runners a setting unlike almost any other marathon route in the world, while its scale, drawing thousands of entrants across three distances, makes it one of the largest organized sporting gatherings in the country

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The marathon reflects Swakopmund's identity as both a mining-linked economic hub

Water and renewal

Living ritual

given Rossing Uranium's decades-long presence in the region

The sacred route

Living ritual

and a coastal leisure town shaped by German colonial-era resort development

The local code

Living ritual

bringing together the industrial and recreational sides of central Namibia's Erongo region in a single annual sporting event

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually March

Getting around

Plan arrival around the route or course in Swakopmund; closures can make normal travel slower.

What to wear

Technical running apparel suited to coastal desert conditions: light, breathable layers for daytime sun, wind-resistant outer layers for Atlantic coastal gusts, and broken-in running shoes...

Safety

Rossing Marathon is easier when spectators give competitors, vehicles and staff room to work.

Where to stay

Base yourself where the last trip of the day stays easy, especially if Rossing Marathon runs late.

Tickets/cost

Official ticket link is available. Confirm access rules before booking.

Language/currency

NAD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map22.68 S, 14.53 E Open in Google Maps

Swakopmund, Erongo, Namibia

Nearest airportWVB — Walvis Bay

TransportPlan arrival around the route or course in Swakopmund; closures can make normal travel slower.

Stay areaBase yourself where the last trip of the day stays easy, especially if Rossing Marathon runs late.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Swakopmund via local transport.Search routes Find a place to stayStays near Swakopmund, close enough for the event-day route.Browse stays Find flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for March.Compare fares Festival gearTechnical running apparel suited to coastal desert conditions: light, breathable layers for daytime sun, wind-resistant outer layers for Atlantic coastal gusts, and broken-in running shoes suited to paved road racing.Shop the kit Check visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Namibia and apply online.Check entry rules Travel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Rossing Marathon?

Rossing Marathon is listed for Past edition: 7 March 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Rossing Marathon take place?

The festival is listed in Swakopmund, Namibia. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

One day is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Swakopmund, Erongo, Namibia

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLglobaltimes.cn

Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →

SourceSource link available

Listed datesDates TBA · Usually March

Source statusOfficial source linked

Spotted something out of date? Submit a correction →

Rossing Marathon

Rossing Marathon in Swakopmund

The part that makes it specific.

The place changes

The mystery stays covered

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Water and renewal

The sacred route

The local code

Essential information

When to go

Getting around

What to wear

Safety

Where to stay

Tickets/cost

Language/currency

Family friendly

Swakopmund, Erongo, Namibia

Your Trip Starts Here

Quick answers.

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

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