Sports
Prisons' Cherop wins women's 10km inter-forces race
“I am very happy that I won this marathon race. I prepared for it. I improved my endurance and skills through hard training. I wanted to get the gold medal and also win for my club (Uganda Prisons Services) that sponsors and supports me,” said Cherop.
Runners traversed the former Customs Corner through the Gulu City streets before connecting to the Gulu-Kampala Highway and back to the starting point at St. Joseph’s College Layibi. (Credit: Dennis Ojwee)
By: Dennis Ojwee, Journalist @New Vision
GULU - In her 3rd road mini-marathon (10km) run, Rispa Cherop beat all other 11 women during the 2026 inter-forces games held at St. Joseph’s College Layibi in Gulu City to scoop yet another gold medal for the Uganda Prisons Service team on Wednesday morning (September 2).
She clocked 32:05.54 minutes in the tight race that marked the 3rd last day of the one-week-long inter-forces in Gulu City.
The race kicked off at 7:15am from the hosting school of St. Joseph’s College Layibi along the Gulu-Juba highway.
The race was navigated by the Police Traffic supported by Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) soldiers and the athletics officials.
Runners traversed the former Customs Corner through the Gulu City streets before connecting to the Gulu-Kampala Highway and back to the starting point at St. Joseph’s College Layibi.
“I am very happy that I won this marathon race. I prepared for it. I improved my endurance and skills through hard training. I wanted to get the gold medal and also win for my club (Uganda Prisons Services) that sponsors and supports me,” said Cherop.
Noel Cheruto (also from Prisons) took the Silver medal after clocking 32:21.00 minutes, while Kerine Cherop (from UPDF) finished third after she clocked 33:15.90 minutes.
Men's category
Meanwhile, 33-year-old Chebet Abel from the Uganda Police Force team won in the men's category. He clocked 28:03.70 minutes in the 10km mini-marathon race. Chebet was also the champion in the men's 10,000 meters race on the first day of the championship on August 24.
"I feel very happy with the win. First of all, it was God's will; it was not my strength alone. I thank my coach and the Uganda Police management for this victory. I really enjoyed the road surface in Gulu City.
“I am very happy that I won this marathon race. I prepared for it. I improved my endurance and skills through hard training. I wanted to get the gold medal and also win for my club (Uganda Prisons Services) that sponsors and supports me,” said Cherop.
Noel Cheruto (also from Prisons) took the Silver medal after clocking 32:21.00 minutes, while Kerine Cherop (from UPDF) finished third after she clocked 33:15.90 minutes.
Men's category
Meanwhile, 33-year-old Chebet Abel from the Uganda Police Force team won in the men's category. He clocked 28:03.70 minutes in the 10km mini-marathon race. Chebet was also the champion in the men's 10,000 meters race on the first day of the championship on August 24.
"I feel very happy with the win. First of all, it was God's will; it was not my strength alone. I thank my coach and the Uganda Police management for this victory. I really enjoyed the road surface in Gulu City.
It is smooth, flat and balanced with no potholes, very good for running a marathon," said a jolly Chebet.
Martin Kiprotich Majingo (also from Uganda Police) came second when he clocked 28:05.60 minutes. Samuel Cherop Simba from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) team came third with a time of 28:10.00 minutes.
The UPDF Joint Staff Formal Education, Sports and Culture, Maj. Gen. Richard Karemire, kicked off the race by firing a pistol in both races.
Before the races started, Karemire cautioned the athletes to observe the competition rules and be mindful of one another’s safety.
“May the best athlete win fairly and the losers lose fairly,” said Karemire.
The week-long 18th Edition of the inter-forces competition ends on Friday, September 4, with a final football clash between the UPDF and the Uganda Police at St. Joseph’s College Layibi playground.
The UPDF Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. David Muhoozi Keinerugaba, is expected to grace the closing event.
Martin Kiprotich Majingo (also from Uganda Police) came second when he clocked 28:05.60 minutes. Samuel Cherop Simba from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) team came third with a time of 28:10.00 minutes.
The UPDF Joint Staff Formal Education, Sports and Culture, Maj. Gen. Richard Karemire, kicked off the race by firing a pistol in both races.
Before the races started, Karemire cautioned the athletes to observe the competition rules and be mindful of one another’s safety.
“May the best athlete win fairly and the losers lose fairly,” said Karemire.
The week-long 18th Edition of the inter-forces competition ends on Friday, September 4, with a final football clash between the UPDF and the Uganda Police at St. Joseph’s College Layibi playground.
The UPDF Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. David Muhoozi Keinerugaba, is expected to grace the closing event.