Sport has the power to change society in various ways. Whether that is through the unity and positive vibe it generates through success, or better yet through its social power.
Beyond the sense of achievement that you get from finishing a race, running on behalf of a charity will give you further purpose for completing the event.
If you are able to achieve personal goals as well as raise valuable funds for a charity of your choice, this can add another level of effort to the challenge.
The latter will be the challenge which runners professional, amateur or running enthusiasts aim to conquer through the 2022 10km Irun race organized by the Uganda Athletics Federation, and Karnataka Sangha Uganda in conjunction with the India High Commission in Uganda
The run that will take place on September 11, will be majorly geared towards providing solutions to some of the challenges faced by rural schools in Uganda among other benefits.
“Our association aims at social activities,” Chairperson Karnataka Sangha Uganda Yogitha J Kadamba said during a press conference.
“This year, we have identified schools in various rural areas and the funds from this event will be used to improve and develop schools in rural areas.”
“When we decide to do any social activities the first and foremost thing that comes to our minds are the young children.”
“Child education plays an important role, so in developing schools, especially in rural areas is very important. Therefore, any benefits we get through this event goes to school development,” she added.
The race shall cover both 10km and five-kilometre distances and shall also have a three-kilometre wheelchair race for the differently abled individuals.
Individuals older than 18 years will compete in the 10km race, while the youth and children below 18 years will compete over five-kilometres.
The runners will be flagged off at the Kati Kati grounds in Kampala and proceed along upper Kololo, terrace, Malcolm X road, Mackenzie road and then proceed back to Kati Kati for the finish.
“We want to achieve a huge social benefit through sport, and we have therefore designed a good course that will provide both fun but still drive an important challenge,” UAF Technical Department head Faustino Kiwa stressed.
“The start and finish will be at the Kati Kati grounds in Lugogo, but the race shall cover areas like Kololo, Kamwokya and the surrounding areas with a total distance of 10 km.”
“The race is open to both the professional and amateur runners. Therefore, we call upon all running enthusiasts to join the cause which as already spelt out is for a good concern in society,” he explained.
Besides the health benefits for the runners, the organisers have also announced total prize money of UGX 12.5million that will be shared among the top finishers of the different races.
“Obviously, we expect to have runners from different walks of life, but while we want to have fun, there will be rewards for the top performers,” UAF General Secretary Namayo Mawerere mentioned.
“The winner of the main 10 km race will bag UGX 6.5 million, the winner of the five-kilometre race shall take home up to UGX 3.5 million.
“Meanwhile, the winner of the wheelchair race will win UGX 2.5 million,” Mawerere added.
Karnataka Sangha Uganda is a non-profit organization which aims at meaningful social and charitable activities and serving society.
