Kasese was alive with colour and activity on Saturday as more than 8,000 runners, spectators and visitors gathered for the fifth Tusker Lite Mt Rwenzori Marathon.
The 2026 edition marked a major breakthrough for Ugandan road running. It was the first time the event had been staged as a World Athletics Label Road Race, making it Uganda’s only race with that recognition.
The status places the Kasese marathon on the international athletics calendar and confirms that it meets global requirements covering course measurement, timing, elite participation and race operations.
The marathon is also an official qualifying event for the Comrades and Two Oceans marathons. Its international profile received another boost when the action from Kasese was streamed through the World Athletics YouTube channel.
Chemonges breaks the course record
Leonard Chemonges delivered the day’s standout performance, winning the men’s 42km race in a new course-record time of 2:13:25.
Alex Mutai followed just 11 seconds later in 2:13:36, while Fred Cherotwo completed the podium in 2:13:49.
Chemonges earned UGX40 million for the victory, with Mutai receiving UGX20 million and Cherotwo taking UGX10 million.
Margaret Japchumba won the women’s full marathon in 2:39:15. Venus Chemutai placed second in 2:39:32, while Joan Chebet finished third in 2:44:08.
The three women received UGX40 million, UGX20 million and UGX10 million respectively.
Abel Chebet wins fourth consecutive title
Abel Chebet continued his dominance of the men’s half marathon, securing his fourth consecutive Tusker Lite Mt Rwenzori Marathon title.
He completed the 21km course in 1:02:00, narrowly beating Sam Yeko, who recorded 1:02:02. Oscar Kibet placed third in 1:02:44.
Gloria Chebet claimed the women’s half-marathon title in 1:12:10. Prisca Chesang Chemweno followed in 1:12:24, while Viola Munerya Chemos finished third in 1:12:34.
The half-marathon winners each received UGX15 million. Second place attracted UGX10 million, while third place earned UGX6 million. Prize money was awarded equally to men and women through sixth place in both the 21km and 42km categories.
Beyond the competition, the marathon once again brought considerable business to Kasese’s hotels, restaurants, transport companies, tour operators and other service providers.
Organisers now hope to develop the event into one of Africa’s leading marathons and eventually secure World Athletics Gold Label status.
The Tusker Lite Mt Rwenzori Marathon is expected to return for its sixth edition in 2027.
