RTG Gears Up For One Epic Weekend At Nyanga Mountain Valley Marathon And Music Festival

Rainbow Tourism Group (RTG) is putting the final touches to the inaugural Nyanga Mountain Valley Marathon and Music Festival, with preparations for the sporting event, entertainment programme and guest experience gathering pace ahead of the 26 September 2026 event.

The weekend will bring together running, live music, wellness and tourism in an effort to showcase Nyanga and the wider Eastern Highlands as a destination for both adventure and leisure.

Marathon To Cater For Different Fitness Levels

Running under the theme “Run. Breath. Celebrate.”, the event will feature four race categories — a 3km Fun Run, 5km, 10km and 21km Half Marathon.

The shorter distances are aimed at families, casual runners and participants who want a more relaxed experience, including those who prefer walking.

For more experienced runners, the 21km Half Marathon will provide a tougher challenge through Nyanga’s distinctive highland terrain, including its elevation changes and mountain landscapes.

RTG Corporate Affairs and Quality Manager Pride Khumbula said the organisers were focused on making sure every aspect of the event was ready for participants and visitors.

“Preparations for the Nyanga Mountain Valley Marathon and Music Festival are progressing well, and we are focused on ensuring that every aspect of the experience is ready for participants when they arrive. From the race routes and participant support to the hospitality and overall guest experience, our teams and partners are working to deliver an event that is professionally organised and worthy of Nyanga’s spectacular setting.”

Khumbula said the event was also intended to encourage visitors to explore more of what the Eastern Highlands has to offer.

“The Nyanga Mountain Valley Marathon and Music Festival is about creating an experience that brings people together through sport, wellness, music and tourism. We want participants to challenge themselves against the backdrop of Nyanga’s spectacular landscapes, but also to slow down, enjoy the destination and experience everything the Eastern Highlands has to offer,” she said.

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Jah Prayzah To Headline Music Festival

While the marathon is expected to attract runners, organisers have also built the event around a major entertainment programme designed to appeal to a wider audience.

Award-winning Zimbabwean musician Jah Prayzah will headline the music festival, with additional entertainment and live DJs lined up for the post-race celebrations.

Gateway Stream Media Manager Elton Kurima said the music component was deliberately included to extend the event’s appeal beyond the running community.

“The idea was to build a complete weekend experience where sport and entertainment complement each other. Jah Prayzah brings a major music offer to Nyanga, while the marathon gives people another reason to travel, explore the destination and spend the weekend there.

“For runners, the concert becomes an opportunity to celebrate after the race. For people who are not necessarily interested in running, the music festival provides a reason to come to Nyanga and be part of the experience. That combination gives the event a much broader lifestyle and entertainment appeal,” said Kurima.

RTG Targets Year-Round Tourism

Beyond the inaugural event, RTG is positioning the marathon as part of efforts to promote the Eastern Highlands as a year-round tourism destination.

The group hopes the event will encourage visitors to experience Nyanga’s alpine landscapes and eco-tourism attractions while also spending more time in the region.

RTG also plans to establish the marathon as an annual event, with ambitions to eventually introduce a full 42km marathon. The longer-distance race is intended to meet qualifying requirements for major events such as the Comrades Marathon in South Africa.

Accommodation And Travel Options Available

RTG is also offering a range of accommodation and travel options for participants and festivalgoers, allowing visitors to combine the event with a stay in Nyanga.

The initiative has attracted backing from several corporate and brand partners, with Pacific Breeze serving as the title sponsor.

The event has also attracted support from Stanbic Bank, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, Musabvunda Menthol, Montclair Resort & Conference Centre, Heritage Expeditions Africa, Colourmart Solutions, Aqua Sure, Colcom, Passions Events Crents, Morefresh and Defined Media.

Tickets And Marathon Registration

Music concert tickets are currently available at US$10 for early-bird standard tickets and US$20 for early-bird VIP tickets.

Phase 1 tickets are priced at US$15 for standard entry and US$30 for VIP.

Participants can register for the marathon online through the official Gateway Stream events portal, while accommodation enquiries can be made through RTG reservations.