MTN Marathon slated for sunday

Nov 18, 2014

It is two days to closure of registration for the tenth MTN Kampala Marathon. Registration ends on Thursday at the Lugogo MTN Arena.

By James Bakama

Sunday

MTN Kampala Marathon

It is two days to closure of registration for the tenth MTN Kampala Marathon. Registration ends on Thursday at the Lugogo MTN Arena.

The marathon that has again drawn entries from athletics heavyweights Ethiopia and Kenya will be on Sunday. The flag-off and finish will again be at the Kololo ceremonial grounds.

Last year, Dominic Kimwetich won the men’s 42 kilometre race while the women’s event had Gladys Kipsoi triumphing.

Preparatory races, commonly known as mock races, were staged on Sunday as a build-up this weekend. Competition will be in the 42, 21 and 10 kilometres for both the men and women’s events.

While Kenya has dominated the marathon, the hosts have over the past decade taken most of the podium places in the shorter races. The marathon this year has Huawei, Stanbic Bank, Rwenzori, Uganda Athletics Federation and New Vision as MTN’s partners.

Proceeds from the marathon will go towards provision of safe drinking water to Karamoja region. Over 15000 runners are expected in this year’s marathon.

Olympic and world championship gold medallist Stephen Kiprotich is amongst the personalities expected at the flag-off. Kiprotich also serves as Afrika Mashariki Fest ambassador, a youth platform to fast track the East African Community integration.

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