All roads lead to Jinja for the Source of the Nile Half Marathon where top runners will be battling for national honours as well as booking places on the national athletics team ahead of the 2023 World Athletics Road Running Championships.

The Uganda Athletics Federation is expected to field a full team to represent the country in October’s championships in Riga, Latvia.

In the past, the event was mainly sponsored by Hared Petroleum Limited until two years ago when Uganda Athletics Federation took over the event that has unearthed some of the finest runners that have gone on to excel in national colours.

Uganda Athletics Federation general secretary, Namayo Mawerere, disclosed that the deadline for runners to register free of charge is Friday.

"We have decided to have free registration for all as we have given this opportunity to unearth Ugandan athletes who feel they have the potential to make the national team through such qualifiers," said Mawerere.

Ali Chebures of Uganda Wildlife Authority won last year's men’s title in a time of 1:02:00 after facing a stiff challenge from Police’s Abel Chebet as well as teammate Geoffrey Kusuro.

The women’s winner, Police’s Mercyline Chelangat, was tested by her teammate and former winner Doreen Chesang and Uganda Wildlife Authority's Sarah Chelengat.

Mawerere added that Jacob Kiplimo fresh off winning gold in the World Athletics Cross Country Championships as well as Moses Kipsiro will be on hand to inspire the runners.