The fifth edition of the Tusker Lite Mt Rwenzori marathon was crowned on Saturday in Kasese with electrifying performances from Cindy, Ray G, Pallaso, T-Paul, among others.
Kasese had been painted green earlier in the day as local, elite and recreational runners took on the 5km fun run, fun cycling, a 10km race, 21km half marathon and the challenging 42km marathon.
The Marathon attracted 8,000 participants from more than 40 countries, almost double the participants last year. Ugandan athlete Leonard Chemonges produced a great performance, setting a new course record of 2:13:25.
The 35-year-old finished fourth in the 2024 edition in 2:15:50 before placing eighth last year. Chemonges, who trains alongside Jacob Kiplimo in Kween District, crossed the finish line ahead of fellow Ugandans Alex Mutai and Fred Cherwoto.
The victory earned Chemonges Shs 40 million in prize money and a brand-new Spiro electric motorcycle, marking his first marathon victory in five years. Mutai took home Shs 20 million for finishing second, while Cherwoto received Shs 10 million.
Kenyan runner Margaret Japchumba, 45, claimed the women’s marathon. Ugandans Vanis Chemutai and Joan Chebet followed in second and third place, respectively. Japchumba received Shs 40 million, while Chemutai and Chebet earned Shs 20 million and Shs 10 million, respectively.
In the men’s 21km half marathon, Abel Chebet emerged winner in all Ugandan podium. Sam Yeko finished second, while Oscar Kibet came third. The women’s 21km race also produced an all-Ugandan top three, with Gloria Chebet winning, Prisca Chesang Chemweno finishing second, while Viola Chemos Munerya came third.
The three received Shs 40 million, Shs 20 million and Shs 10 million, respectively. The Rwenzori Marathon continues to use sport to create opportunities and awareness for the Rwenzori region.
Addressing the crowd, State Minister for Sports, Peter Ogwang praised the growing participation of athletes in the marathon, saying the increase in prize money has helped attract more top runners to the event.
“We wanted to attract more top athletes nd also have the marathon officially recognised by World Athletics,” he said.
Later, runners swapped running shoes for dance shoes as Kasese pulsed with energy as neon lights lit up the night, and music carried the celebration deep into the wee hours.
The headline act, Cindy, had the crowd in a frenzy, singing Boom Party, See You Tonight and more. Pallaso kept the momentum going with a catalogue of crowd favourites that had thousands dancing.
Set against the breathtaking Rwenzori mountains backdrop, the marathon showcased Uganda beyond the finish line; the landscape, culture, communities and tourism.
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