62 Ugandan runners shine at Comrades Marathon in South Africa
Olemukan's time now ranks as the third-fastest for a Ugandan at the Comrades Marathon, behind only his own previous performance and Gadafi Ssali's 07:09:48 in 2024.
Some of the Ugandans who participated in the Comrades Marathon show off with their medals after the event. Courtesy photo
While South Africans George Kusche and Gerda Steyn claimed honours in the 2026 Comrades Marathon men's and women's races in 5:15:56 and 5:44:53 respectively, Uganda was well represented by 62 enthusiastic runners who also left their mark on the 85.777km route on Sunday.
The race from Durban to Pietermaritzburg saw Uganda's charge led by Team Matooke's Cosmas Olemukan, who clocked 06:36:36 to finish 145th overall, ahead of Fast and Furious Running Club's John Ssembogo, who recorded 07:13:09 to finish 434th out of 22,000 runners.
Olemukan's time now ranks as the third-fastest for a Ugandan at the Comrades Marathon, behind only his own previous performance and Gadafi Ssali's 07:09:48 in 2024. Ssali was the second-best Ugandan this time, clocking 07:36:52 to finish 916th in the 40-49-year-old men's category.
Emmanuel Nsubuga followed in 07:50:45 in the seniors category, as the race marked the 99th edition of "The Ultimate Human Race" and the 50th edition of the 'Up' run from Durban to Pietermaritzburg.
Christopher Musenze also finished the gruelling race in 08:07:22, alongside Amos Rwot Omio Opio (08:17:12), Joseph Mukama (08:26:22), Alex Matovu (08:30:21), Samuel Mosebi (08:44:18), and Don Akatukunda (08:44:40), who all finished among the top Ugandans.
The fastest finisher among the Ugandan ladies was Fast and Furious Running Club's Bonita Mulelengi, who came in at 09:07:42, followed by Team Matooke's Hilda Kakuru Nkoola, who finished in 10:01:36.
Other Ugandan runners at the event included Ronald Namugera, Andu Debebe, Godfrey Kamya, Moses Rutahigwa, Robert Okudi, Arnold Katende, Mike Lubowa, Ellis Katwebaze, Jannet Nakazzi, Violah Mutabaazi, and Stephen Ilungole, among others.
The Ugandans had many admirers and supporters, with the Rwenzori Marathon activation team, led by Colline Masiga, providing refreshments at the 24km mark.
"The Comrades is the gold standard for any recreational runner in Uganda at the moment. You either come and witness it or run it," Chris Musenze, one of the Ugandan runners, told the South African press after the event.