Golazo has just signed a ten-year agreement with the Ugandan Ministry of Sports and the Uganda Athletics Federation to organise a brand-new marathon in the capital: the Kampala City Marathon. The first edition will take place on 1 December this year.
The last few years, Uganda has been among the world’s top of long-distance runners producing the likes of Victor Kiplangat (World Marathon Champion in 2023), Jacob Kiplimo (World Record Holder in the half marathon) and Joshua Cheptegei (World Champion and World Record Holder in the 10000m). The country now wants to be at the forefront of events too. The Kampala City Marathon has ambitions of becoming one of the leading marathons in Africa.
The event will also have shorter races with the half marathon and 5km. The races are expected to start and finish at Mandela National Stadium and will be open to elite and recreational local and foreign runners. Besides running, the Kampala City Marathon will have multi-cultural entertainment along the route and will culminate into a festival that should bring a multiplicity of local and international cultures together to celebrate a united human spirit.
The new marathon will be spearheaded by the Presidential Advisory Committee on Export and Industrial Development (PACEID) under the leadership of Mr. Odrek Rwabwogo, working hand in hand with the Ministry of Education and Sports. PACEID is working with several government departments to help drive up Uganda’s export earnings through a multi-pronged approach.
Peter Ogwang, Minister of State for Education and Sports: “We believe investing in sports tourism initiatives in particular allows us to not only bring in tens of thousands of visitors to experience the best of the Ugandan spirit and hospitality, but it also offers us an opportunity to showcase our storied long-distance running tradition and of course celebrate the beauty and diversity that makes Uganda truly unique. We also have the added benefit of doing this while keeping our people fit and thus reduce the burden of Non-Communicable Diseases.”
Bob Verbeeck, CEO Golazo. “Marathons are part of Golazo’s DNA and our mission to make people fitter, healthier and happier. We already organise a very successful marathon, the Nairobi City Marathon, in East Africa and I am proud to work with the Ugandan Ministry of Sports and the Athletics Federation in now also setting up a wonderful marathon in Kampala. For us, this is the right time to open an office in Kampala from where we will be developing this new marathon and other initiatives.”