200 Ugandans set for Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon

As in previous years, Uganda will have the largest group of recreational runners at this year’s Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon, which takes place in Nairobi on Sunday, October 26.

More than 200 Ugandans, all part of Team Matooke, have signed up for the event. The marathon features several races, including a 5km Family Fun Run, a 10km run, a 21km Half Marathon, a 21km Wheelchair Race, a CEO Challenge, a Corporate Challenge, and the 42km Full Marathon.

According to Uganda’s team captain, Julius Nkuraija, this is one of the events Ugandans have participated in over the years.

“It is one of the events where our runners have done their first marathon. Many of our members have trained for the event where we participate as recreational runners. Many will run and use it as a qualifier for the ultra-Comrades Marathon in South Africa. So many people are going there to run, enjoy, and have fun,” Nkuraija said.

“As an individual I have participated in this event before, and running has become part of my daily routine, it has connected me to many friends; businesswise, but also it has also given me an opportunity to remain fit, to know more about running, staying healthy and enjoying wellness,”

“Many of my friends who were not into running are now part of the running which people have embraced, the numbers have increased, people have embraced exercising so there are a lot of benefits. “At the end of the day we want to have a healthy country, a healthy life style that’s how you can be able to live longer and reduce on your insurance and healthy budget and live longer basically,” he stated.

Some of the Ugandans headed to Nairobi include Martin Makumbi, Ellis Katwebaze, Charles Bukuwa, Tony Ssali, Paul Ndyaguma, Phiona Abila, Darius Muwanguzi, Sarah Nambogo, Pauline Nassali, Fred Masadde, Sarah Wanyana, Martin Abila, Christian Natukunda, Betty Makumbi, Robert Kabushenga and Moses Rutahigwa among others.

The Nairobi Marathon does more than just put Kenya on the global map - it's a great way to spot local running talent and give them a chance to shine, plus it brings more tourists to the country. The money raised from the marathon goes to help out the "Seeing is Believing" community project.

Runners will kick off the race from outside Carnivore on Southern Bypass Road. If you're doing the 5km run, you'll wrap up along the Southern Bypass, but everyone else - whether you're tackling the 10km, half marathon, full marathon, wheelchair race, or corporate challenge - will cross the finish line at Uhuru Gardens.

Once the Nairobi race is done, Team Matooke is packing up and heading to Gulu for the Gulu Marathon. This race was dreamed up by one of their own team members, Francis Gimara, and it'll be the final running event of the year, wrapping up their calendar alongside their regular monthly running challenges.