Five Ugandans set to represent at Absa Run Your City Joburg 10km

This year, five Ugandans will join thousands of participants in the Absa Run Your City Joburg 10km, which takes place on South Africa’s National Heritage Day, on September 24.

The five that were flagged off for the event on Thursday by Absa Managing Director David Wandera include Brian Adams Ategeka, Evas Nasasira, Phillip Kiptoo, Collins Cherotich, and Annet Chesang.

These five qualified as top runners in the annual Absa Kampala Hash Harrier Seven Hills Run, held in March at the Millenium Grounds in Lugogo. The 'Change Her Story' charity run raises funds to help keep underprivileged girls in school.

“This goes to demonstrate that the run has far reaching positive implications beyond the run; we have helped educate 17,000 vulnerable girls, and raised over sh900m over the past three years, and this is really our effort to make a difference,” Wandera noted.

He urged the runners to fly Uganda’s flag high, enjoy the sights and sounds of Johannesburg and return for next year’s event to support the girl-child.

“We pride ourselves on being a force for good in the communities where we operate and we are here to empower Africa’s tomorrow together, one story at a time.”

At the same time Ategeka, 28, was also handed his land title from Bakaima Real Estate Agents who fulfilled their promise of awarding the 21km winner a title. Karim Kawesa the company’s CEO handed over the land title to Ategeka who promised to up his best in South Africa.

“The 10km is not my race because I’m a marathoner but I have been making between 33-35 minutes (10km) but I will target to run under that if my body allows,” Ategeka said.

“I want to thank Absa Bank Uganda for giving me this opportunity to participate in this high-level Run. I am ready to compete, with God’s blessings, I know I will go ahead to get famous in this sport and even compete on bigger platforms,”

The Absa Run your City Joburg 10k was founded in 2016 and celebrates the splendour of the ‘City of Gold’. Runners (and walkers) will be treated to a 10km journey that highlights iconic landmarks and features lively performances by a host of Joburg’s leading performing arts groups.