Over 150 athletes set for National Mountain Running Championship

The competition will see athletes tackle the challenging mountain course from Kapchorwa town to the Teryet National High Altitude Training Centre as they battle for honours in the annual championship scheduled for Saturday, October 17, 2026, in Kapchorwa.

Junior athletes will compete in an 8km up-and-down race, while their senior counterparts will contest the 12km classic category, testing their endurance, strength and ability to navigate the demanding terrain.

The championship will also serve as a build-up to next year's World Athletics Mountain Running Championship scheduled for October in Cape Town, South Africa, giving Ugandan athletes an opportunity to assess their form ahead of the global competition.

Uganda Athletics (UA) publicity secretary Namayo Mawerere described the championship as an important fixture on the federation's annual calendar, expressing excitement about the anticipated competition.

"It is a national event and it is held every year. It crowns the best athletes in Uganda mountain running. We are excited about the event and we cannot wait to see athletes climbing the mountains of Kapchorwa," Mawerere said.

Mawerere is optimistic that Uganda Athletics will organise a team selection event next year to identify athletes who will represent the country at the Cape Town competition.

The proposed selection event would provide an opportunity to assess the country's leading mountain runners and prepare a competitive team for the international assignment.

Last year, Kiprotich Martin Magengo claimed the men's title, while Rispa Cherop emerged champion in the women's category.