Rwenzori Marathon weekend turns into global festival – Sqoop

The World Athletics Label Road Race, Tusker Lite Rwenzori Marathon, transformed the Rwenzori subregion into a weekend-long festival, drawing thousands of local and international runners, tourists and party enthusiasts for a packed programme of sport, culture and nightlife.

More than 6,000 people from at least 32 countries took part in this year’s marathon, with runners abandoning their beds as early as 4 am on Saturday to prepare for the 42km, 21km, 10km and 5km races.

But the action had started long before race day. The marathon weekend opened on Friday evening with a cultural dinner hosted by the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), bringing together visitors and local stakeholders for an evening celebrating the region’s culture and tourism potential. The programme also included a morning shakeout run led by Gulu Marathon, giving runners a chance to loosen up and explore the area before the main event.

Across Kasese, the atmosphere had been building for days. Bars and popular hangouts were filled as visitors streamed into the town, while hotels reported increased bookings ahead of the marathon.

Content creator Gloria Assimwe said the energy in the town was impossible to miss.

“Kasese has been alive since we arrived. The hotels have filled up, the hangouts are packed, and everywhere you go, people are talking about the marathon,” she said.

A race with a party soundtrack

While elite and serious runners pushed themselves across the longer distances, the 5km Fun Run delivered perhaps the most colourful entertainment of the day. For many participants, it was less about the stopwatch and more about the experience.

Groups of runners and walkers carried portable speakers, turning sections of the route into moving dance floors. Participants sang along to their favourite songs, danced in sync and stopped occasionally to capture the moment for social media.

The fun run brought together fitness enthusiasts, tourists, content creators and partygoers, creating an atmosphere closer to a street carnival than a conventional road race. By the time many participants crossed the finish line, the celebrations were far from over. UTB Marketing Manager Francis Nyende said the marathon is becoming an important platform for developing tourism in the Rwenzori subregion while creating opportunities for businesses and communities.

“The marathon goes beyond sports tourism. It helps diversify tourism products while bringing valuable revenue into the area,” Nyende said. “Such events are important as the country works towards its long-term development and tourism goals.”

He said events such as the Rwenzori Marathon give visitors a reason to travel beyond Uganda’s traditional tourism circuits, encouraging them to experience the country’s landscapes, culture, hospitality and entertainment.

One more party to go

The weekend is set to end on a high with the Neon Rave concert, where musicians Ray G, Cindy Ssanyu and Fik Fameica are expected to headline a night of music and partying.

Tusker Lite Brand Manager Sandra Againe said the concert was designed to extend the marathon experience beyond the finish line.

With thousands of visitors already in the region, the concert is expected to provide one final burst of energy after a weekend that has blurred the lines between a sporting event, tourism showcase and entertainment festival.