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Uganda Breweries Ltd has launched the third edition of the much-anticipated Tusker Lite Mt Rwenzori Marathon.
Kicking off the event, a group of avid runners participated in a spirited 5km run/walk through the streets of Kololo, culminating in the official announcement of the marathon’s third edition set for Saturday, August 24, 2024.
This year’s Tusker Lite Mt Rwenzori Marathon introduces a new 10km route, complementing the existing 5km, 21km, and 42km courses.
This addition offers a greater challenge for runners seeking an intermediate distance between the 5km and 21km races.
In a first for Uganda, all the marathon’s courses were recently certified by World Athletics, the world’s athletics governing body.
This promises to draw elite runners from across the world as the race times will be globally recognised and can be used to qualify for races across the world.
Speaking during a news conference in Kololo, Matilda Babuleka, head of beer at UBL said, “We can proudly say that the Tusker Lite Mt Rwenzori Marathon is now a global event.”
She noted that from the onset, UBL supported the marathon because of it’s potential to significantly impact Kasese region, driving economic growth and boosting tourism.
She added that the influx of visitors and participants has revitalised the local economy, providing a platform for local businesses to thrive and expand.
According to Babuleka, their commitment to the marathon reflects their dedication to supporting initiatives that drive positive change, development and impact the society.
“We are proud to be associated with an event that not only promotes health and fitness but also plays a pivotal role in uplifting the Kasese region. We believe in the power of sport to bring people together, break boundaries, and to drive positive change in our communities, hence our continued involvement,” she said.
With an anticipated number of 4000 participants for this year’s edition, the Tusker Lite Mt Rwenzori Marathon continues to gain momentum, drawing runners from around the world to experience the unique challenge of running at the foot of the Rwenzori mountain ranges, while taking in the scenic landscapes of Uganda.
Amos Wekesa, the director of Equator Hikes spoke of the milestones the marathon has registered in just two years.
“The Tusker Lite Mt Rwenzori Marathon has grown tremendously and seeing our vision come to life is incredibly fulfilling. In the first edition, we registered 800 runners, last year, the numbers more than doubled as we registered 2,000 participants. This year, we expect the same trajectory,” he said.
The State Minister for Tourism, Martin Mugarra Bahinduka applauded organisers for successfully shining a spotlight on Kasese and bringing forth economic development for the region.
Early bird registration fees are set at Shs50,000 for East African Community (EAC) citizens and residents, while international runners can register for USD 50 before July 1, 2024.