The Uganda Marathon

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30th May - 30th May 2020

Masaka
5,000 participants
By Uganda Marathon

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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.

How to enter the The Uganda Marathon

Marathon
Run 26.2mi
7:00am Sat 30th May 2020
£150
Event passed
Half Marathon
Run 13.1mi
7:00am Sat 30th May 2020
£150
Event passed
10K
Run 10km
7:00am Sat 30th May 2020
£150
Event passed

The Uganda Marathon routes

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.

Event Details

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

Raceday Logistics

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

Kit List

Warm weather running kit - hydration packs are recommended.

Spectators

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.

Volunteers

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.

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)

Is 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.

What 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.