Athletics Federation to revive Source of the Nile marathon

Source of the Nile half

marathon
Date: Sunday
Venue: Jinja

The Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF) will revive the Source of the Nile marathon starting with a half marathon this Sunday in scenic Jinja, 80km east of Kampala.

"This year we are glad to revive the Source of the Nile marathon because we shall use it to select a team for the World Half Marathon and to give the athletes some competition," UAF president Dominic Otucet said.

The Source of the Nile marathon was last hosted in 2012 and UAF have decided to bring back the race that has tourism implications on the athletics calendar.

The source of the Nile is a source of pride which they believe the race can help highlight.

The selectors need to pick a team of five men and women to represent Uganda at the World Half Marathon set for Poland.

The athletes that will run in Jinja will be considered alongside other athletes who have raced abroad.

Cheptegei boost
The World Half Marathon team has been boosted by the inclusion of world champion and record holder Joshua Cheptegei who will not race in Jinja but will be available in Poland.

"Joshua is one of the athletes that wants to run in the World Half Marathon, so we have selected him and we think it's good to have a big name like Joshua in the team," Otucet explained.

Gold Coast effect
The national team did not perform well in the World Half Marathon of 2018 due to preparation for the Commonwealth games.

Many top athletes prioritised the games that took place at the Gold Cost in Australia foregoing the half marathon culminating in Uganda finishing fifth (men) and 16th (women).

There is a positive upgrade on the athletes that travel to Poland which makes the Source of the Nile half marathon that important.