Rwenzori Marathon top runners to share out sh40m in Kasese

The top runners in the inaugural Tusker Lite Rwenzori Marathon scheduled for September 3 in Kasese will share out sh40m according to the organisers of the event, Equator Hikes.

About 2000 people are expected to participate in the run aimed at fostering a healthy lifestyle amongst Ugandans, celebrating and promoting sports tourism as well as highlighting climate preservation.

Addressing a press conference on Thursday at the Square at which Tusker Lite’s Marketing and Innovation Director Emmy Hakashimana unveiled a sh800m sponsorship towards the event, Equator Hikes Amos Wekesa said the marathon was aimed at attracting many people to the Rwenzori mountain to not only boost tourism but also the economy of the locals and the country at large.

 “We also want to encourage healthy living and our dream in the next five years is to have about 20000 climbers that will eventually transform the economy as they scale the biggest and highest block and most technical mountains in Africa, and ensure they are visited and climbed by as many people as possible,”

He said the second edition will also involve a climbing festival because there are so many people eager to climb the mountain. He added that the Rwenzori has a value of $1b potential earning every single year which can supplement our national budget.

Equator Hikes Amos Wekesa (3rd left) and Tusker Lite Marketing and Innovation Director, Emmy Hakashimana (3rd right) pose with other co-sponsors representatives Shakib Nsubuga (left), Johnson Mboga (2nd left), David Gonahasa and Sandra Arinaitwe (right) at the Square, August 11 2022. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

The top runners in the 42km and 21km categories (men and women) will share out a total of sh20m with the first to the fifth in the marathon taking home sh5m, sh4m, sh3m, sh2m, and sh1m while the top three runners in the half marathon in both categories will pocket sh3m, sh2m and sh1m each respectively courtesy of Standard Chartered Bank.

Wekesa clarified that the prize money wasn’t targeted for a particular category of runners but is open to all categories of runners and that anyone can win it. He said several prominent people are going to participate and that every runner will get a medal at the end of the run. He said, unlike this year when the marathon is held in September, next year’s one will be held in July to enable the climbers to scale the mountain ranges when it is dry and very convenient.

Hakishimana said their sponsorship entails catering to the different logistics of the marathon on top of promoting consumer experiences and ensuring the publicity and marketing of Kasese and the event itself.

“A big part of this is about championing healthy lifestyles but also reminding us about the need to conserve our environment. We know climate change is a big deal and it is upon us to ensure that what we have is also enjoyed by generations that will come before us,” Hakishimana stated.

“We are excited about what Tusker Lite can do for the marathon and vice versa. Tusker Lite is about lighting the way and most of the activities we are engaged in are about improving people’s lives and promoting a healthy lifestyle, and we have been part of similar activities before like the Kampala Night Marathon.

“Our commitment is that we work with the organisers to have the biggest run in the region and we promise to provide a big and nice experience and we will make it memorable with a welcome party on Friday and an even bigger one after the marathon,”

Jumia Head of Expansion Shakib Nsubuga whose company is in charge of the distribution and sale of the running kit said each participant will pay sh50,000 and that the runners can start pre-ordering their kits via the Jumia website and later pick up their kit at their pick-up stations in FortPortal and Kasese as they head to the marathon.

The Luji Festival’s Johnson Mboga said Kasese is excited and assured everyone that will participate that security will be guaranteed for everyone.

He said the marathon will be preceded by community biodiversity run celebrated in the International tourism month to create awareness and identify local talent on top of a massive tree planting campaign to mitigate against climate change in the Rwenzoris.

Rocket Health’s Sandra Airinaitwe said they will provide first aid services to the runners of the unique marathon and that they had partnered with the Red Cross to offer ambulance services for the runners during the marathon and everything that will help them recuperate after the race.

Tripesa’s Team Leader David Gonohasa said they had worked with the locals to ensure that there are several options to cater for accommodation including camping options in Kasese and the Queen Elizabeth National Park. He said the participants will be able to book all these services via websites; www.visitrwenzori.com and the marathon website www.mtrwenzorimarathon.com.