The National Cross Country Championships will be held at Mbale Golf Course for the first time on 15 November, marking a major shift after five straight editions at Tororo Golf Course.
Athletics officials selected Mbale as the new venue to re energise long distance running in the Bugisu region and reconnect the area with its past success.
The move brings the event back to a place that once produced several standout athletes, including Catherine Webombesa and Wokau Paul, who represented Uganda at top international competitions in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Local clubs and schools have welcomed the return of a national event to their region and see it as a chance to rebuild the production line of elite runners.
Anticipation around the course has grown ahead of race day, with communities preparing to host the country’s top athletes.
Chicago Marathon champion Jacob Kiplimo and Olympic champion Joshua Cheptegei are expected to feature, adding further weight to a championship that will play a part in shaping Uganda’s cross country depth heading into upcoming international seasons.
