MTN Marathon: 42km course comes closer to fans

MTN Kampala Marathon

Venue: Kololo

Flag-off for 42km: 6:15am

The new course of the MTN Kampala marathon comes with many benefits.

Apart from fast times, the new route also gives spectators a chance to more closely follow the runners.

The viewers' benefit is courtesy of a course that will have participants twice covering a 16.5 kilometre loop in the 42km event.

The loop largely covers Kololo, Old Port Bell Road, Bugolobi, Industrial Area and the City Centre.

"With such a circuit it means that by positioning yourself in one spot you have a chance of seeing the participants twice," explained route designer Faustino Kiwa.

The 21km event will go through the same loop once. The 10km event retains its usual route while the 5km race will be in the Kololo Airstrip's neighbouring areas.

In 2017, Kenyans Sammy Kip-Ngetich Kurgat won the men's 42km race in 2hours 19:5 minute and Rael Jepyator won the women's category in 2.58:14.

Kiwa also noted that there will be a 20 minute split in the start time, with the 42kms runners flagged off first, followed by the 21kms runners.

Proceeds for the MTN Kampala Marathon are going to support the improvement of maternal health.

Kit collection and physical registration are also ongoing at MTN headquarters at the former BAT building, Stanbic Garden City, William Street, MTN Service Centres along Kampala Road, Lugogo Mall, Clock Tower, Forest Mall, and Victoria Mall in Entebbe.

Physical registration will cost sh25,000 per kit and will be ongoing until today.

MTN has partnered with Vision Group, Stanbic Bank, Huawei, Rwenzori, UAF, AAR and Spedag.

New partners Spedag are in charge of the event's transport while health insurance providers AAR have offered free ECG checks.

This is aimed at gauging participants' readiness to run.