Vitalis Kwemoi and Viola Chemos Munerya clocked 2:17.21 and 2:49.03 in the men and women categories to win the second edition of the Tusker Lite Rwenzori Marathon in Kasese on Saturday.

This was the first ever marathon wins for both of the Tuku Africa and Arua Athletics Club athletes respectively, who were also competing in Kasese for the first time. They each bagged sh8m for their efforts.

Kwemoi, 26, edged Bernard Cheptoch by a microsecond in a photo finish, in the men’s race; where Shetrack Kimaiyo (2:17.37), Abraham Kiplimo (2:17.52), and Daniel Rotich (2:18.20), finished third, fourth and fifth respectively.

Cheptoch took home sh5m, Kimaiyo sh3m, Kiplimo sh2m as Rotich pocketed sh1m.

“It was a tough race and the conditions were not favourable, it was too hot compared to my local conditions in Kapchorwa but we thank God that we finished the race very well,” Kwemoi, who is only four years into running said.

“Last year I was number-7 in the MTN Marathon, this year I have won this one and I think there is more to come. I was expecting to run something like 2:10 but the pace was a bit slow especially in the opening kilometers although it was faster during the return,”

“It was a calculative race because no one wanted to take the lead and that made us slow down because everyone didn’t want to burn out and we fear each other. But I had to kick towards the finish and that’s how I won it,” Kwemoi stated.

“I’m too happy and I will return next year to defend it. Hope I can get more races in between and some sponsorship,”

On her part, Arua Athletics Club’s Chemos, 30, who had before Saturday’s race been competing in only the half marathon and the 10km events said it was God’s wish that she won because the course was tough and she struggled to finish.

 “I’m just too happy to have won my first marathon. I’m now going to train better and even make it better in subsequent races. I’m looking forward to the MTN Marathon in November,” she said.

The women 21km race was won by Prisons Athletics Club’s Dorcus Ajok who pocketed sh5m after she clocked 1:16.24, to beat Belinda Chemutai (1:16.30) and Annet Chelangat (1:16.32) who finished second and third respectively, taking home sh4m and sh3m respectively. Scarlet Chebet and Rebecca Cherop were the other runners who partook of the prize money, taking home sh2m and sh1m respectively.

In the men’s division, it was Abel Chebet (1:02:56) who also edged Ben Chelimo by a microsecond, as Norman Kipyeko, Oscar Kibet and Thomas Ayeko followed reswpectively.

Ajok will now compete in other events like the national cross country championship and the MTN Kampala Marathon in November, among other road races full on confidence.

“The race was good but the course was tough especially the opening 11 kilometers because it was hilly but the return was a bit slopping and that made it easy,” Ajok who is no stranger to the half marathon having competed in similar events before, said.

“But this is my first major half marathon win because I have only been making top four in previous events, and this feels very good; I’m happy,” Ajok who pocketed sh5m for her efforts, stated.

“We are excited to have brought all this excitement and energy to Kasese. The whole town is buzzing, the hotels and restaurants are full, so I think the local people have felt the economic impact of the marathon and they have felt the positive energy of foreigners coming to run in Uganda and the positive energy of Tusker Lite,” Andrew Kilonzo, UBL managing director said.

“We are excited that the Marathon is now on the running calendar and we are looking forward to an even bigger event next year; it can only get better, we want the Ugandans to come and enjoy not only the run but also the sights in the region,” Kilonzo stated.

Equator Hykes’ Amos Wekesa, one of the organisers, said they were grateful to God that the run had ended well.

“There are a few mistakes we need to correct but all-in-all, it has been one of the best organized runs with people from more than 14 countries, which is more important for our country,”

“Many came earlier and others are staying longer to spend money in our economy. All the hotels were booked, restaurants worked and all kinds of businesses made money. The people of Kasese were wonderful and cheered on the runners and morale-boosted the runners,” Wekesa noted.

British Sports Commentator Rob Walker, ICT Minister Godfrey Kabyanga and a number of dignitaries from the co-sponsors of the event including from Hima (Jean Michel Pons), Standard Chartered Bank (Sanjay Rughani and Maggie Kigozi), UNDP (Elsie Attafuah), CFAO Motors (Isaac Tegule), Unilever (Emmanuel Kabugo), Steven Masaba (UWA), Humphrey Lutakome (Britam) among area MPs and local leaders graced the event that attracted over 2000 runners in the annual run aimed at showcasing the tourism potential of the Rwenzori mountain.

Results

42km-Men

Vitalis Kwemoi 02:17.21

Benard Cheptoch 02:17.22

Shetrack Kimaiyo 02:17.37

Abraham Kiplimo 02:27.52

Daniel Rotich 02:18.20

42km-Women

Viola Chemos 02:49.03

Rosina Jepkosgei Kiboino 02:50.32

Pricilla Chelangat 02:52.01

Vanis Chemutai 02:54.25

Agnes Jepkosgei 02:55.22

21km-Men

Abel Chebet 01:02.56

Ben Chelimo 01:02. 57

Norman Kipyeko 01:03.02

Oscar Kibet 01:03.07

Thomas Ayeko 01:03.10

21km-Women

Dorcas Ajok 01:16.24

Belinda Chemutai 01:16.30

Annet Chelangat 01:16.32

Scarlet Chebet 01:18.01

Rebecca Cherop 01:18.10

Local Athletes-21km

Men

Brian Arinaitwe

Ericana Kinyamunyu

Women

Joan Kyumutai

Christine Lhukogho

42km - Men

Alex Masereka

Innocent Muhindo

Women

Ritah Nabaasa

Eva Masika