At the Rwenzori Marathon in western Uganda, the full-distance route starts at the equator and finishes in Kasese. It’s the kind of detail you might put on a medal. For Amos Wekesa, the bigger story is what happens in town when the runners arrive.
Why the race belongs in Kasese
Kasese sits close to the Rwenzori Mountains and Queen Elizabeth National Park. Amos helped launch the race in 2022 to bring people to a region he felt was better known for its troubles than for the places he loved. In the episode, he remembers a resident telling him that turning her home into accommodation for race week brought in enough to pay her children’s school fees. It’s a good reason to look at staying locally and spending a little extra time in town.
Where should runners stay?
Start with accommodation in or near Kasese. Ask your host how you’ll get to the start and back from the finish, especially if you’re travelling with someone running a different distance. The organiser currently describes an equator start for the 42 km race and town starts for the shorter distances. Check this edition’s date, route, road closures and shuttle arrangements on the organiser’s event information page before booking.
What to see after race day
The Kazinga Channel makes a good outing if you’d like to sit down and still have a memorable day. If you’re keen to explore the mountains, talk to a local operator about a foothill walk suitable for the time you have. The high Rwenzori are a different undertaking. UNESCO lists Margherita Peak at 5,109 metres, and Amos’s story of ropes and a climb in darkness gives some idea of why a summit expedition needs a plan of its own. See UNESCO’s Rwenzori Mountains National Park overview.