Leading 10km results
Men
1 B. Siwa 29:42
2 V. Kananura 29:47
3 D. Rotich 29:48
4 K. Zakaria 29:48
Women
1 R. Cheptegei 36:26
2 E. Chebet 37:08
3 J. Achola 37:33
4 G. Chepkwemoi 37:38

By James Bakama, Norman Katende and Alex Balimwikungu

By 6.00 am, Kololo was a sea of yellow as thousands eager to race jostled for prime positions.

Again, the biggest entry was for the 10km race and at the starting point, a human barricade of bouncers, private security guards and police dogs were involved to keep the surging crowd at bay.

Even though last year’s 10km winner Moses Kipsiro was a no show this time, it was a clean sweep for Uganda led by Ben Siwa.

Dorcus Inzikuru’s dream of recapturing the 10km title was blown after she retired at just over 5km while leading her nearest challenger Rebecca Cheptegei of the UPDF.

“I could not go on,” is all she could say as she retired at the Lugogo indoor stadium steps.

There was much more participation from the corporate companies, with this year’s winners being NCR and Uganda Wildlife. The top corporate teams each won sh1.5m they gave to Red Cross and Sanyu Babies home.

To hundreds of other participants who were in the race for either charity or fitness, it didn’t matter what was on offer. “It’s been a great race. I’ve finished the race a much healthier person,” said 55 year old Flavia Namukasa.

The three competition courses, that all ended in the energy sapping Lugogo by-pass and Prince Charles drive hills, were described as tough by most runners.

“The hills towards the end reminded me of the Boston marathon,” noted Phillip Ndugwa, who competed in the Boston race in 1988.

The “Heartbreak Hill”, a 600m rise that stretches competitors’ fitness to the limit, is a key feature of the prestigious Boston race.

Runners welcomed the spacious Kololo airstrip as a finishing point. There was ample area for warming down, display tents for the various companies and first aid.

There were however completely contrasting sentiments for the adjacent upper Kololo Terrace starting point.

The road was too narrow resulting in flag-off scuffles. Several people were in the process injured.

Aggrey Kagonyera, the marathon organising chairman was nevertheless impressed with the organisation.

“It was a very smooth event and we have just shown that we were fully prepared especially as regards the technicalities and logistics,” he stated.

“The police have greatly helped us ensure it was an incident free event. Since our aim is to have this marathon gain international status from IAAF, we have decided to adopt some of the aspects that other marathon organisers are already doing.”

He explained that having the wheelchair competition, a week before was one of those new developments.

The proceeds from the MTN Kampala Marathon will go to the Uganda Red Cross’ Mama Bag fund to help pregnant mothers in northern Uganda.