The second edition of the Elgon Half Marathon, organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Joshua Cheptegei Development Foundation (JOCDEF), is set to take place this Saturday, November 2, in Mbale City.
The event aims to promote sports tourism and raise awareness of critical social issues affecting the Elgon region.
Joshua Cheptegei, Uganda’s Olympic 10,000m champion and world record holder in both the 5,000m and 10,000m distances, will participate in the event, which offers three race categories: a 21km half marathon, a 10km race, and a 5km run.
The race course will take participants through the scenic foothills of Mount Elgon National Park, a location renowned for its stunning biodiversity and lush landscapes.
Timothy Masaba, a board member of JOCDEF, emphasized the marathon’s importance in promoting tourism in the region.
“We’ve established the Elgon Half Marathon as a sports tourism event in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism and the Tourism Board, which positions us to attract more people to the region and interact with the athletes,” he stated.
This year’s event will highlight pressing issues, including climate action, biodiversity conservation, and the fight against gender-based violence (GBV).
Proceeds from the marathon will go towards supporting JOCDEF’s initiatives aimed at community transformation, which align with UNDP’s broader mission of sustainable development.
Registration for the Elgon Half Marathon remains open until the day of the event, with a fee of Shs30,000.
Registered participants will receive a race kit that includes a running vest, water bottle, and kit bag. Winners stand a chance to earn medals and other prizes.
