MTN Marathon: Top runners to share sh128m

KAMPALA - The top runners in this year's MTN Kampala Marathon will share out sh128m. There are cash prizes for the top finishers in each of the 42, 21 and 10km individual races as well as the 10km wheelchair and hand cycling races. 

The biggest jackpot is in the main 42km marathon where the top ten athletes will share out sh80m, with each of the men and women winners taking home sh20m each. The runners-up will bag sh10m each while the third-place finishers will pocket sh5m each. 

There are also cash prizes from the fourth-place finisher up to the tenth ranging from sh3m to sh600,000 cash.

The top five runners in the half marathon (21km) will share out sh19m, with the winners getting sh4.5m each while the second and third-place finishers will get sh2.5 and sh1.5m respectively.

There is an extra reward for whoever can rewrite Kenyan Joshua Chemutai and Lydia Wafula's 2:18:27 and 2:44:59 race records respectively in the 42km during this year's marathon, due on Sunday at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds.

The winners of the full marathon in both the men and women categories will receive an extra sh25m on top of the sh20m for the overall winner if they can break last year's records set by the two Kenyans. If both records are broken, the record setters will share out the bounty.

MTN has contributed over sh3b towards several causes; from helping expectant mothers and resettling people displaced by war in northern Uganda, relocating mudslide victims in Bududa, developing clean water and improving sanitation in a community school.

Maternal health

The sh1b collected from last year's event was channeled towards improving maternal health in Bulamburi, Pakwach, Ntoroko, Kalangala and Kawempe health centre IV facilities.

A full house is expected at this year's run with the kit having run out a week before.

The theme for this year is: "Run for a good reason" with all proceeds going towards the improvement of maternal health in all Health Centre IV's across the country.

The MTN Marathon is organised in partnership with; Stanbic Bank, New Vision, Coca Cola (Rwenzori Water), Huawei, Spedag, Uganda Athletics