More than 30,000 to participate in this year's Cancer Run

The 7th edition of the Centenary Bank-Rotary Cancer Run on August 26 will be run in 37 major towns across Uganda, with over 30,000 participants taking part.

The number of towns participating in the run has increased form 34 last year to 37.

The official run route for the Kampala leg was unveiled yesterday during a press conference by Rotary Cancer Run Chairman Stephen Mwanje at Roots Restaurant Nakasero.

Addressing a press conference in Kampala on Thursday, Mwanje said cancer is widespread, the reason they wanted the whole country to participate and appealed to the public to go out and register. The runs will start at 7am in all the participating districts.

"This shows how committed the country is in fighting cancer and it makes the Rotary Cancer Run perhaps the biggest event for runners in the country as many people will be running at the same time in 37 different venues," Mwanje said.

In Kampala, registration is ongoing countrywide at Shs25,000 only at all Capital Shoppers outlets; Game Store Lugogo; Rotary office at the 9th Floor, NIC Building; Bulange Mengo; all Centenary Bank branches and at selected Airtel shops.

Proceeds from this year's run will still go towards building two bunkers and the Linear Accelerators at the Rotary-Centenary Bank Cancer Ward at Nsambya. Sh18bn is required to complete the work. Sh1.1bn was raised from last year's run.

"We zeroed on the Linear Accelerator because it is the most modern radiotherapy equipment and doesn't have many negative after effects. To establish an effective centre of excellence, we need two Linear Accelerators and two bunkers to house them. This helps because when one machine is down or is being serviced, patients have an alternative," Mwanje said.

The run is sponsored by the Parliament of Uganda and Centenary Bank among others. The Bank which has been a long-term partner over the past 7 years, has this year contributed Sh155m. Pepsi has also joined the sponsors this year through their Nivana Mineral Water brand for the Kololo event as they will provide all the water needed for runners to rehydrate their bodies.