UNDP Elgon Half Marathon set for November 1 in Mbale City

Olympic gold medalist and multiple world record holder, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Joshua Cheptegei, believes that the UNDP Elgon Half Marathon will continue to make a significant impact in the region and for its people, as the event is on an upward trajectory.

The annual event is designed to amplify the need for climate action and conservation in the biodiverse Elgon region, broaden inclusive and meaningful community participation within the tourism value chain, empower young people, and advocate for the elimination of gender-based violence (GBV).

The third edition event was launched on Friday at the UNDP offices in Kampala, attended by the UNDP Resident Representative Nwanneakolam Vwede-Obahor, the German Ambassador to Uganda Matthias Schauer, the Woman MP for Kapchorwa district Phylis Chemutai, the Ugandan Ambassador in Guangzhou, China, Judyth Nsababera, and the executive director of the National Forestry Authority, Stuart Imaniraguha, among other guests.

Speaking to the press at the event, Cheptegei said this year’s event, due on November 1 in Mbale City, promises to be bigger and better because many stakeholders, including institutions and communities of Mbale and the Sebei region, have joined the event.

“This promises to be a good year with a clear message of bringing an end to gender-based violence and also driving the climate agenda. A lot has been happening in the Elgon region, especially the effects of climate change, and everybody feels it, and now it is a call for us to reawaken and plant the trees, and as we plant them, we are safeguarding our water bodies and livelihood. We are also going to create opportunities in the tourism and business sectors,” Cheptegei said.

He said their key players are the schools and institutions with whom they have held discussions and through which they have disseminated information with the hope that they are instilling good morals and values on what they stand for, and he believes that by doing that, they together can really put an end to the devastating effects of climate change.

He advised the men out there to stand together and ensure a society that is favourable for everyone irrespective of their sex, “and this is really very important for us as a society and country to love one another and have respect,” he noted.

Nwanneakolam hailed Cheptegei for leading by example and impacting his community through the run. “When we talk about sustainable development, we are looking at indigenous things that are enduring, things that are can be replicated, and ones that can, over time, make a difference, and that is the reason we are partnering with Cheptegei. The fact that he can use his achievements to affect his community and beyond is commendable."

“Our hope is that the Joshua Cheptegei Development Foundation can be around in the long run and that they can speak about the history of the UNDP. We look forward to seeing all of you in Mbale, and I would like to thank colleagues in the the UNDP for their hard work and extremely grateful to all the stakeholders, the government, and all the government entities that have joined us to support this cause.”

Phylis, the vice chairperson of the foundation, said the event was more than just a run but a celebration of the spirit, resilience, and potential of the Sebei people and our rich natural heritage.

“Through sports we not only showcase our world-class athletes like Joshua Cheptegei but also our stunning landscapes, variant culture, and the warm hospitality within our communities.

Nsababera said every movement and kilometer covered in this marathon touches on the things that matter deeply to our country, while Schauer hailed Cheptegei and the other Ugandan athletes for the discipline that they exhibit before gaining big milestones in their careers.

The marathon will incorporate 21, 10, and 5 km routes, each one of which has been attached to one of the three marathon causes: fight against gender-based violence, youth economic empowerment, and climate action, respectively. Participants can join the run upon payment of Sh50,000/-, which comes with a running kit and a medal at the end of the race and the opportunity to win prizes. Proceeds will go directly to the Joshua Cheptegei Foundation to support community transformation.

Some of the government entities and private sector companies that have joined the event include the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities; UTB, UWA; the National Forest Authority, UNIDO; Red Cross, OXFAM; Stanbic, United Bank for Africa; Crown Beverages, Nile Breweries; and Brussels Airlines, among others.