The Tusker Lite Mt Rwenzori Marathon 2026 has taken its place on the international road-running calendar while showcasing one of Uganda’s most spectacular destinations.
Held on 22 August 2026 in Kasese, western Uganda, the fifth edition brought runners, spectators and visitors together beneath the dramatic Rwenzori Mountains, famously known as the Mountains of the Moon.
The 2026 edition was a major milestone for the event. For the first time, the Rwenzori Marathon was organised as a World Athletics Label Road Race, making it the first marathon in Uganda and the third in East Africa to receive the designation.
But the Rwenzori Marathon is about more than competition. For international visitors, it is also an opportunity to discover western Uganda, with the Equator, Queen Elizabeth National Park, the Rwenzori Mountains and the wider safari circuit all within reach.
Rwenzori Marathon 2026 at a Glance
- Date: 22 August 2026
- Location: Kasese, western Uganda
- Full marathon: 42.2 km
- Half marathon: 21.1 km
- World Athletics status: Label Road Race
- Route: From the Equator area towards Kasese and the Rwenzori foothills
- Region: Western Uganda
- Main attraction: Running beneath the Rwenzori Mountains
The official marathon describes the event as one of Africa’s scenic destination races, with the route taking runners through the Equator area and towards Kasese.
Rwenzori Marathon 2026 Results
The 2026 race produced a new men’s course record and another strong performance from East African distance runners.
Men’s Marathon Results
Uganda’s Leonard Chemonges won the 42.2 km men’s marathon in 2:13:25, setting a new course record.
The leading finishers were:
- 1st – Leonard Chemonges, Uganda – 2:13:25
- 2nd – Alex Mutai, Uganda – 2:13:36
- 3rd – Fred Cherotwo – 2:13:49
- 4th – Martin Chemusto, Uganda – 2:14:42
- 5th – Anthony Ayeko, Uganda – 2:14:45
The result was particularly impressive because Chemonges led a very closely contested race, with the top three runners all finishing within 24 seconds.
Women’s Marathon Results
Kenya’s Margaret Jepchumba won the women’s marathon in 2:39:15.
The leading finishers were:
- 1st – Margaret Jepchumba, Kenya – 2:39:15
- 2nd – Vanice Chemutai, Uganda – 2:43:32
- 3rd – Joan Chebet, Uganda – 2:44:08
- 4th – Mercy Chelangat, Uganda – 2:49:36
- 5th – Emily Jepkoech, Kenya – 2:58:38
The results demonstrate the increasingly competitive international character of the Rwenzori Marathon.
2026 Half Marathon Results
The 21.1 km race also produced strong Ugandan performances.
Abel Chebet won the men’s half marathon in 1:02:01, securing his fourth victory in the five editions of the Rwenzori Marathon.
The leading men’s results were:
- 1st – Abel Chebet – 1:02:01
- 2nd – Yeko Sam – 1:02:03
- 3rd – Kibet Oscar – 1:02:45
- 4th – Kirwa James – 1:03:23
- 5th – Akwech Peter – 1:03:34
- 6th – Simon Kiprotich – 1:03:35
In the women’s half marathon, Gloria Chebet took first place in 1:12:11.
The official Rwenzori Marathon website provides the complete race results for participants.
The Rwenzori Marathon Becomes a World Athletics Label Road Race
The biggest development in 2026 was the marathon’s new international status.
The Rwenzori Marathon became a World Athletics Label Road Race, placing the event on the recognised international road-running calendar.
For Uganda, this is an important achievement. It strengthens the country’s profile as a destination for international athletics while giving Kasese a new platform for sports tourism.
The designation also reflects the event’s development in areas such as course measurement, electronic timing, safety, road management, elite participation and race operations.
The marathon was launched in 2022 and has now grown into one of Uganda’s major sports-tourism events.
The Rwenzori Marathon Route
The route is one of the biggest attractions of the race.
The 42.2 km course begins around the Equator at Kikorongo, in the Queen Elizabeth National Park area, before heading towards Kasese.
The early section features open savannah and views around Lake George. Runners then continue towards the Rwenzori foothills and Kilembe before returning towards Kasese.
The route includes a demanding climb in the Kilembe area, adding roughly 270 metres of elevation before the runners make their way towards the finish.
This combination of Equator, savannah, mountain scenery, and local communities gives the Rwenzori Marathon a character that is very different from a conventional city marathon.
Why Run the Rwenzori Marathon?
There are plenty of destination marathons around the world, but few combine running with this kind of landscape.
During the Rwenzori Marathon, runners can experience:
- The Equator
- Open savannah
- Views of the Rwenzori Mountains
- Rural western Uganda
- Local communities
- The landscapes around Queen Elizabeth National Park
- The dramatic Rwenzori foothills
- The lively atmosphere of Kasese
For many international runners, the destination itself becomes as important as the race.
Discover the Rwenzori Mountains
The Rwenzori Mountains are one of Africa’s great mountain landscapes.
Known as the Mountains of the Moon, the range rises dramatically along the Uganda–Democratic Republic of Congo border and is renowned for its spectacular valleys, waterfalls, forests, alpine vegetation and high-altitude landscapes.
The mountains are also recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site for their exceptional natural scenery and biodiversity.
If you are travelling to Uganda for the marathon, you can extend your trip with a Rwenzori hiking or trekking experience.
A marathon and mountain trek make an excellent combination for travellers who enjoy active holidays.
Combine the Marathon with a Queen Elizabeth National Park Safari
The Rwenzori Marathon takes place in one of the best areas of Uganda for combining sport with wildlife.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is close to Kasese and offers excellent opportunities for game drives and nature experiences.
Visitors can look for elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards, hippos and a wide variety of birds.
A Kazinga Channel boat cruise is another highlight. The channel connects Lake Edward and Lake George and is famous for its concentrations of hippos, crocodiles, elephants and water birds.
For international runners, this means a trip to the marathon can easily become a full Uganda safari.
Visit the Equator
The Equator is one of the most popular attractions in western Uganda and forms an important part of the Rwenzori Marathon experience.
The marathon route begins around the Equator area at Kikorongo, giving participants a memorable connection with one of the world’s most famous geographical landmarks.
It is also an ideal place to stop for photographs and experience some of the attractions around the Equator before or after the race.
Add Gorilla Trekking to Your Rwenzori Marathon Trip
Why stop at the finish line?
If you are travelling to Uganda for the Rwenzori Marathon, you can extend your journey with gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
A longer Uganda itinerary can combine:
- Rwenzori Marathon
- Queen Elizabeth National Park safari
- Rwenzori Mountains trekking
- Gorilla trekking in Bwindi
- Chimpanzee tracking
- Lake Bunyonyi
- Cultural and community experiences
This turns a marathon trip into a complete Uganda adventure.
For runners travelling internationally, combining the marathon with a safari and gorilla trekking can make much better use of the long journey to Uganda.
Why the Rwenzori Marathon Matters for Tourism
The growth of the Rwenzori Marathon is also important for the local tourism economy.
The event brings runners and visitors to Kasese, creating demand for accommodation, transport, restaurants, guides, excursions and other tourism services.
Uganda’s Ministry of Tourism has identified the marathon as an increasingly important sports-tourism platform for Kasese and the wider Rwenzori region.
Government support for the 2026 edition included UGX 3.7 billion, while the event’s total prize purse increased to UGX 252 million.
The full-marathon winners received UGX 40 million each, while the half-marathon winners received UGX 15 million each, with equal prize money for the winners.
This growing investment reflects the marathon’s increasing importance beyond athletics.
A Marathon with a Mountain Backdrop
The Rwenzori Mountains give the race its identity.
Few running events allow participants to experience the Equator, African savannah and one of Africa’s great mountain ranges during the same race.
The landscape is also a reminder of why responsible tourism and conservation are so important.
The Rwenzori ecosystem contains unique high-altitude habitats, forests, wetlands and alpine environments that support both biodiversity and communities in western Uganda.
Visitors can contribute to the region by using local guides, accommodation providers and tourism businesses and by following responsible travel and conservation practices.
Planning a Future Rwenzori Marathon Trip
The 2026 Rwenzori Marathon took place on 22 August 2026.
If you are interested in a future edition, monitor the official Rwenzori Marathon website for announcements about the next race date, registration, routes and athlete information.
For international visitors, we recommend arriving several days before race day where possible. This allows time to recover from travel, explore Kasese and prepare for the race.
It also gives you the opportunity to build a safari or trekking experience around the marathon rather than flying home immediately after the race.
Sample Rwenzori Marathon and Uganda Itinerary
A marathon trip can easily be combined with some of Uganda’s best-known attractions.
Day 1: Arrive in Uganda
Day 2–3: Queen Elizabeth National Park safari
Day 4: Equator visit and transfer to Kasese
Day 5: Rwenzori Marathon
Day 6: Rest and explore Kasese
Day 7–9: Rwenzori Mountains experience or transfer towards Bwindi
Day 10: Gorilla trekking
Day 11: Return towards Entebbe or continue your Uganda adventure
This itinerary can be shortened or extended according to your schedule, interests, and budget.
Rwenzori Marathon Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Rwenzori Marathon held?
The Rwenzori Marathon is held in Kasese, western Uganda. The full-marathon route begins around the Equator at Kikorongo before heading towards Kasese and the Rwenzori foothills.
When was the 2026 Rwenzori Marathon?
The fifth Rwenzori Marathon was held on 22 August 2026.
Is the Rwenzori Marathon a World Athletics race?
Yes. The 2026 edition became a World Athletics Label Road Race, making it the first marathon in Uganda to receive the designation.
Who won the 2026 Rwenzori Marathon?
Uganda’s Leonard Chemonges won the men’s 42.2 km marathon in 2:13:25, setting a new course record.
Kenya’s Margaret Jepchumba won the women’s marathon in 2:39:15.
How long is the Rwenzori Marathon?
The full marathon is 42.2 km, and the half marathon is 21.1 km.
Where does the Rwenzori Marathon start?
The full-marathon route begins around the Equator at Kikorongo, in the Queen Elizabeth National Park area, before heading towards Kasese.
Can I combine the Rwenzori Marathon with a safari?
Yes. The location makes it particularly convenient to combine the race with a Queen Elizabeth National Park safari, including game drives and a Kazinga Channel boat cruise.
Can I combine the marathon with gorilla trekking?
Yes. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi can be incorporated into a longer Uganda itinerary before or after the marathon.
Is the Rwenzori Marathon suitable for international runners?
Yes. The event has an increasingly international profile, and its new World Athletics Label Road Race status further strengthens its position on the international running calendar.
Experience the Rwenzori Marathon with Gorilla Tours
The Rwenzori Marathon is more than a race. It is a gateway to western Uganda.
Whether you are an experienced marathon runner looking for a new destination, a recreational runner seeking an unforgettable challenge, or an adventure traveller who wants to experience Uganda differently, the Rwenzori Marathon offers a unique combination of sport, scenery, wildlife and culture.
Run near the Equator.
Look towards the Mountains of the Moon.
Explore Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Discover the communities of western Uganda.
And extend your journey into Uganda’s forests for an unforgettable gorilla trekking experience.
Your Rwenzori Marathon adventure can be the beginning of your Uganda safari—not the end of it.
If you are planning to attend a future Rwenzori Marathon, let us help you combine the race with safaris, Rwenzori trekking, chimpanzee tracking, and gorilla trekking to create a personalised Uganda itinerary.
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