The Uganda Marathon
About this event
Cap off an adventurous week of volunteering in Uganda with an epic marathon, 10km or half marathon. Great for those who want to help others, whilst also testing yourself on the hilly Ugandan terrain. Come for the beautiful scenery and the enthusiastic supporters.
Raceday details
How to enter
Tickets available until Sun May 17 2020
What's included:
- Race entry to the 10k, half or full marathon race on Saturday 1st June 2019
- *Don’t fancy running but everything else sounds great…why not join as a spectator? Have the best week of your life and then help other people across the finish line by cheering them on or helping out
- Subsidises 15 Ugandan junior runners to participate in the Race who otherwise could not afford to
- Donation to fund KidsRunWild event
- Pre-departure support including the Runner Handbook and support with everything from visas and booking flights, to fundraising
- Advice from and group training runs with our registered running coach
- Airport transfers
- 7 nights accommodation at Masaka’s best hotel, or at the beautiful Athletes’ Village with sensational views across rural Uganda
- 3 meals per day
All Daily Activities Including:
- Language & cultural lessons from our local staff
- See Your Legacy Days x 2 – hands on with local projects you’ve supported – connect with the people whose lives are changing thanks to you’re fundraising
- Lake Nabugabo trip for swimming, fish & chips Uganda style, sports and more
- Day at the MVRC (Masaka Vocational Rehabilitation Centre), learning about challenges and hope of local disabled community
- Campfire evenings with 150 new friends
- Nightly entertainment at the Athletes’ Village and hotel: breakdancing, music, traditional drumming & dance and an evening at the local arts centre, with insightful talks from former street children-turned artists
- The KidsRunWild children’s fun & sports day
- Pre-race chill out day, with a choice of various activities, such as wandering into town, extra Charity Project visits, relaxing by the pool, Ugandan cooking lessons or talks by the local people
- Pre-race pool party & hotel afternoon to relax and recharge before Race Day
- Pre-race pasta party to get your glycogen stores up to the max before Race Day
- Pre-race medical briefing
- 24/7 emergency medical support from a team of UK doctors
- All core water stations & medical support
- Race t-shirt
- Stunning handmade finisher’s medal
- Post Race celebrations at Liberation Square
- Awesome After Party at the Athletes’ Village
Marathon
Run 26.2mi
Half Marathon
Run 13.1mi
10K
Run 10km
Benefits of booking with Let's Do This
Free injury protection - Refunds until 4 days before the event.
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Frequently asked questions
What exactly are the accommodation options?
There are four options spread across both the Athletes Village and The Marabou, details of which can be found below: Camping (Bring your own tent) Athletes' Village Package (Private room) Marabou Village (Private room + amenities) Marabou Exec (Luxurious room)… read moreIs Uganda safe?
Annually, there are around 15,000 British Nationals who visit Uganda and have entirely trouble-free trips. The Masaka district, in particular, is regarded as safe and welcoming; with no security concerns having arisen over the last 5 years during the marathon. However, it is crucial to remain vigilant and take the right precautions. Organisers work in conjunction with the Major, Police Commander, and senior politicians to make sure that the Athletes' Village and hotels are as secure as needed. Both have 24 hour security and the local police will be in attendance on the day.… read moreWhat is the total cost?
Final prices vary from £945 to £1,245 (depending on accommodation) and there is a deposit of £150. You can find out what is included in these prices in the 'what's included' section above.… read moreRunning Events in the United States
Running Events in the United States
Route description
Route description
With three different courses, there truly is something for everyone and even if you're not taking part in the run, you are welcome to come along and help contribute to this great cause.
There will be plenty of cheering from the start line, as well as scattered through the course, and you may even be joined by local children. All the routes are mostly off-road and contains some ascents.
10KM:
Not a route for those chasing a PB. This difficult course takes you through the farms and mud tracks of Masaka and includes the notorious hill - The Beast. This hill is quite unlike anything you will ever have tackled before, however, once you've reached the top of pine ridge you will have panoramic views over to Lake Victoria.
Full & Half Marathon:
This is an immense 21km looped course through some of the most glorious landscape in Africa. Expect to speed through rural farms, quaint villages, and boisterous towns as the local community line the streets to cheers you on. The second part of the course will link up with the 10K to take on The Beast.
Schedule:
Sun 24th + Mon 25th May (Acclimatisation Days):
- You will meet at Entebbe Airport
- Stop off at the Equator on route to Masaka
- Experience the local culture
Tues 26th + Wed 27th May (Legacy Days):
- This is not just a race, but a chance to leave your legacy in Uganda for the decades to come
- The chance to connect with the great community projects that you're helping
- Spend the day building a piggery in support of an elderly association, work with young, disadvantage entrepreneurs to help with their business plans, paint a playground and many more amazing projects
- This is the chance to see exactly where your fundraising is going and the positive impact which it will have
Thurs 28th May (Kids Run Wild):
- This is a children's sports day, hosted in conjunction with the Uganda Marathon
- All of Masaka's schools, orphanages and projects are invited to Liberation Square
- It will be a day of fun runs, games, bouncy castles, face painting and much more
**Fri 29th May (Pool & Pasta Party):
**- Today is for resting those legs and recuperating for race-day
- The day will be made up of pool time, as well as some cooking lessons and some talks from the local community
- In the evening there will be a pool and pasta party
**Sat 30th May (Race-day):
**- Kicking off at 0700, get ready for the an experience like no other
- Undoubtedly a formidable challenge, the course will have a boisterous crowd throughout
- After, the whole town of Masaka comes together for a party
- The Athletes Village will host massages for runners
**Sun 31st May:
**- Enjoy one last Ugandan Sunrise
- After a long breakfast, make your way back to the airport or continue on for further Ugandan adventures
Non-runners are also welcome. Take part in the volunteering at the beginning of the week then rent a bicycle to more easily support the runners from the sidelines.
Take part in the volunteering at the beginning of the week and continue volunteering with the racing, there's plenty to help with during the run such as recording results, manning the water stations or helping out the medical teams.
Katwe Rd, Masaka, Uganda
Get directions**Airport: Entebbe International Airport, 14 Kitaasa Rd, Entebbe, Uganda
Flights:** There are usually flights available for around £400 from the UK if booked in advance.
Please make sure you arrive on Sunday 24th May before 1800. There are several free transfers which will be announced nearer the departure date.
The transfer time to Masaka is around a 3 hour drive.
Please book your return flight no earlier than 1530 on Sunday 31st May.
Visas: All UK and US citizens require a visa for Uganda. If you need to find out whether you require a visa then head over to VisaHQ.
Visa applications must be made in advance at https://visas.immigration.go.ug/ and a single entry visa costs $50.
Accommodation: All accommodation options will have access to the Glade; a beautiful relaxation and social area, which is purpose built for The Uganda race week. Here you can grab a drink, swap stories next to the fire, and relax with your fellow runners.The Athletes Village - This accommodation option sits atop a hill that beholds panoramic views over Masaka. You'll be able to see the race start line from your room. The facilities are fairly basic but do have a restaurant and bar area, and is only a short 2 - 3 minute walk from the Glade.
Your stay will include: Private rooms with a bathroom, space for camping tents, flushing sit-down toilets and showers (for those on the camping package) and is only a short walk to Masaka Town.
Marabou Village - Marabou Village will give you a real taste of luxury and the best which Marabou has to offer.
Situated right in the centre of Masaka, the hotel is surrounded by lush gardens and towering palm trees. From here, the Glade is around a 5 - 10 minute walk away, with transports regularly available.
Your stay will include: Private rooms with bathroom, option of beautiful exec rooms, onsite coffee shop & bakery, fully stocked bar, a spa, outdoor pool area.
Route description
Route description
With three different courses, there truly is something for everyone and even if you're not taking part in the run, you are welcome to come along and help contribute to this great cause.
There will be plenty of cheering from the start line, as well as scattered through the course, and you may even be joined by local children. All the routes are mostly off-road and contains some ascents.
10KM:
Not a route for those chasing a PB. This difficult course takes you through the farms and mud tracks of Masaka and includes the notorious hill - The Beast. This hill is quite unlike anything you will ever have tackled before, however, once you've reached the top of pine ridge you will have panoramic views over to Lake Victoria.
Full & Half Marathon:
This is an immense 21km looped course through some of the most glorious landscape in Africa. Expect to speed through rural farms, quaint villages, and boisterous towns as the local community line the streets to cheers you on. The second part of the course will link up with the 10K to take on The Beast.
Schedule:
Sun 24th + Mon 25th May (Acclimatisation Days):
- You will meet at Entebbe Airport
- Stop off at the Equator on route to Masaka
- Experience the local culture
Tues 26th + Wed 27th May (Legacy Days):
- This is not just a race, but a chance to leave your legacy in Uganda for the decades to come
- The chance to connect with the great community projects that you're helping
- Spend the day building a piggery in support of an elderly association, work with young, disadvantage entrepreneurs to help with their business plans, paint a playground and many more amazing projects
- This is the chance to see exactly where your fundraising is going and the positive impact which it will have
Thurs 28th May (Kids Run Wild):
- This is a children's sports day, hosted in conjunction with the Uganda Marathon
- All of Masaka's schools, orphanages and projects are invited to Liberation Square
- It will be a day of fun runs, games, bouncy castles, face painting and much more
**Fri 29th May (Pool & Pasta Party):
**- Today is for resting those legs and recuperating for race-day
- The day will be made up of pool time, as well as some cooking lessons and some talks from the local community
- In the evening there will be a pool and pasta party
**Sat 30th May (Race-day):
**- Kicking off at 0700, get ready for the an experience like no other
- Undoubtedly a formidable challenge, the course will have a boisterous crowd throughout
- After, the whole town of Masaka comes together for a party
- The Athletes Village will host massages for runners
**Sun 31st May:
**- Enjoy one last Ugandan Sunrise
- After a long breakfast, make your way back to the airport or continue on for further Ugandan adventures
Non-runners are also welcome. Take part in the volunteering at the beginning of the week then rent a bicycle to more easily support the runners from the sidelines.
Take part in the volunteering at the beginning of the week and continue volunteering with the racing, there's plenty to help with during the run such as recording results, manning the water stations or helping out the medical teams.
Katwe Rd, Masaka, Uganda
Get directions**Airport: Entebbe International Airport, 14 Kitaasa Rd, Entebbe, Uganda
Flights:** There are usually flights available for around £400 from the UK if booked in advance.
Please make sure you arrive on Sunday 24th May before 1800. There are several free transfers which will be announced nearer the departure date.
The transfer time to Masaka is around a 3 hour drive.
Please book your return flight no earlier than 1530 on Sunday 31st May.
Visas: All UK and US citizens require a visa for Uganda. If you need to find out whether you require a visa then head over to VisaHQ.
Visa applications must be made in advance at https://visas.immigration.go.ug/ and a single entry visa costs $50.
Accommodation: All accommodation options will have access to the Glade; a beautiful relaxation and social area, which is purpose built for The Uganda race week. Here you can grab a drink, swap stories next to the fire, and relax with your fellow runners.The Athletes Village - This accommodation option sits atop a hill that beholds panoramic views over Masaka. You'll be able to see the race start line from your room. The facilities are fairly basic but do have a restaurant and bar area, and is only a short 2 - 3 minute walk from the Glade.
Your stay will include: Private rooms with a bathroom, space for camping tents, flushing sit-down toilets and showers (for those on the camping package) and is only a short walk to Masaka Town.
Marabou Village - Marabou Village will give you a real taste of luxury and the best which Marabou has to offer.
Situated right in the centre of Masaka, the hotel is surrounded by lush gardens and towering palm trees. From here, the Glade is around a 5 - 10 minute walk away, with transports regularly available.
Your stay will include: Private rooms with bathroom, option of beautiful exec rooms, onsite coffee shop & bakery, fully stocked bar, a spa, outdoor pool area.