Athletes head to Iganga
Sep 08, 2006
NATIONAL marathon record holder Alex Malinga will lead a host of top road runners in the inaugural MTN National Road Running Championship due in Iganga tomorrow.
By Norman Katende
NATIONAL marathon record holder Alex Malinga will lead a host of top road runners in the inaugural MTN National Road Running Championship due in Iganga tomorrow.
World and Commonwealth 3000m steeplechase champion Dorcus Inzikuru (left) has also boosted the woman turn up at the meet.
Malinga, will have a show down with other top road runners in Francis Yiga, Joseph Nsubuga and Wilson Busienei, who has just come from a training stint in Italy in the first 20km event that replaces the national half marathon championship.
“We expect it to be very competitive. It has attracted almost all the top road runners in the country,†explained Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF) publicity secretary Namayo Mawerere. The race has received an increase in prize money from last year’s sh2.8m to sh3.2m.
Paul Wakou and Martin Toroitich will also feature, together with new names from Kapchorwa and Arua.
“The top 15 finishers in both the men and women category will share out the cash prizes. The winner will get sh0.15m. Top teams at the event will also be rewarded. Only athletes above the age of 18 are eligible,†Mawerere explained.
The meet will be a qualifying ground for the first edition of the World Road Running Championship due October 8 in Debrecen, Hungary.  Â
Jane Suuto, Adero Nyaikisi and Irene Chemisto are among the other top women runners.
NATIONAL marathon record holder Alex Malinga will lead a host of top road runners in the inaugural MTN National Road Running Championship due in Iganga tomorrow.
World and Commonwealth 3000m steeplechase champion Dorcus Inzikuru (left) has also boosted the woman turn up at the meet.
Malinga, will have a show down with other top road runners in Francis Yiga, Joseph Nsubuga and Wilson Busienei, who has just come from a training stint in Italy in the first 20km event that replaces the national half marathon championship.
“We expect it to be very competitive. It has attracted almost all the top road runners in the country,†explained Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF) publicity secretary Namayo Mawerere. The race has received an increase in prize money from last year’s sh2.8m to sh3.2m.
Paul Wakou and Martin Toroitich will also feature, together with new names from Kapchorwa and Arua.
“The top 15 finishers in both the men and women category will share out the cash prizes. The winner will get sh0.15m. Top teams at the event will also be rewarded. Only athletes above the age of 18 are eligible,†Mawerere explained.
The meet will be a qualifying ground for the first edition of the World Road Running Championship due October 8 in Debrecen, Hungary.  Â
Jane Suuto, Adero Nyaikisi and Irene Chemisto are among the other top women runners.