Hared marathon is very timely
May 24, 2009
I SAY SO<br><b>JAMES BAKAMA</b.<br><br>THIS column has been missing for three weeks! One can blame it on the global financial crisis and soaring newsprint prices that conspired into a reduction of pages.
I SAY SO
JAMES BAKAMA
THIS column has been missing for three weeks! One can blame it on the global financial crisis and soaring newsprint prices that conspired into a reduction of pages.
But rather than have sleepless nights over the financial woes, I decided to put the pen aside and try out something more physical.
I've been into a lot of jogging not only for adventure, but also for an upcoming marathon.
On Sunday, I will be one of hundreds of runners who will feature in the Hared Source of the Nile marathon.
This Jinja race, on the picturesque fringes of the world's longest river, could have passed as any ordinary marathon –– but that is not the case.
There is something about the organisers that drew me to the event. The oil company it turns out has a soft spot for charity as proceeds from the event will help boost the dilapidated Jinja Referral Hospital.
The organisers are also willing to learn. That is exactly why they have partnered with athletics governing body UAF.
To ensure that Sunday's event is a success, they have for the past year made marathon organisation a special subject of study.
They attended the MTN marathon and were recently again seriously taking notes at the Mountain Gorilla run.
But what is perhaps most important for Uganda, is that we are getting another big marathon event.
I have always dreamed of a time when Uganda would emulate the likes of the US that in a single season boasts of major events like the Boston, New York and Chicago marathons. Variety breeds competition which in turn also boosts quality. So, besides the MTN and the Hared races, it would be great to also have the Warid, Celtel and East African Breweries marathons.
At the end of the day, these very corporates would actually be the biggest beneficiaries as a healthier population would translate into a better GDP and finally more disposable income..
The economics aside, I can't wait to be in Jinja.
JAMES BAKAMA
THIS column has been missing for three weeks! One can blame it on the global financial crisis and soaring newsprint prices that conspired into a reduction of pages.
But rather than have sleepless nights over the financial woes, I decided to put the pen aside and try out something more physical.
I've been into a lot of jogging not only for adventure, but also for an upcoming marathon.
On Sunday, I will be one of hundreds of runners who will feature in the Hared Source of the Nile marathon.
This Jinja race, on the picturesque fringes of the world's longest river, could have passed as any ordinary marathon –– but that is not the case.
There is something about the organisers that drew me to the event. The oil company it turns out has a soft spot for charity as proceeds from the event will help boost the dilapidated Jinja Referral Hospital.
The organisers are also willing to learn. That is exactly why they have partnered with athletics governing body UAF.
To ensure that Sunday's event is a success, they have for the past year made marathon organisation a special subject of study.
They attended the MTN marathon and were recently again seriously taking notes at the Mountain Gorilla run.
But what is perhaps most important for Uganda, is that we are getting another big marathon event.
I have always dreamed of a time when Uganda would emulate the likes of the US that in a single season boasts of major events like the Boston, New York and Chicago marathons. Variety breeds competition which in turn also boosts quality. So, besides the MTN and the Hared races, it would be great to also have the Warid, Celtel and East African Breweries marathons.
At the end of the day, these very corporates would actually be the biggest beneficiaries as a healthier population would translate into a better GDP and finally more disposable income..
The economics aside, I can't wait to be in Jinja.