Cheptoch, Chebet shine at fourth edition of  Rwenzori Marathon

Abel Chebet completed a hat-trick of the Tusker Lite Mt. Rwenzori Marathon wins when he defended his 21km half marathon title in Kasese on Saturday.

Chebet, 30, clocked 01:02:04 to beat Alex Kiplangat and Martin Kiprotiich Magen who clocked 01:02:05 and 01:02:32 to the sh7m top prize.

The Uganda Police Athletics Club’s Chebet who since winning his second title in Kasese has since signed with Adidas and has achieved significant success, including winning the Portugal Marathon, finishing sixth in India, and recently claiming victory in the Morocco Marathon, and earning over sh100m, from these three events, edged Kiplangat in a photo finish to cement his legacy in the annual championship.

Some of the participants walk to the finish line. Courtesy photo

But it was Bernard Cheptoch who claimed the full-marathon sh10m cash after coming in 02:21:04 ahead of Kenyan John Muthui Musee (02:22:00) and Antony Ayeko (02:22:12).

Speaking after his win, Cheptoch credited his triumph to resilience and consistency:

“The course was tough, but the energy from the crowd and the beauty of the Rwenzori’s kept me going. Winning here is a big moment for me as it is a stepping stone and entry to some of the biggest marathons on the continent,” Cheptoch said.

L-R Standard Chartered CEO Sanjay Rughani, Rt Hon deputy speaker of parliament of Kenya Gladys Boss Shollei, Bernard Cheptoch(C), Equator Hikes Director Amos Wekesa and UBL Managing Director Andrew Kilonzo pose for a photo during the award ceremony. Courtesy photo

Thousands of athletes, adventure seekers, and spectators thronged Kasese for the fourth edition of the event that has quickly grown into one of the biggest sporting highlights on Uganda’s calendar. Since its inception in 2022, the marathon has surged in popularity, attracting elite athletes and fun runners from around the world. This year, more than 6,000 participants laced up their shoes, ready to conquer the scenic yet demanding routes against the breathtaking backdrop of the Rwenzori Mountains.   

The marathon wasn’t just about elite competition; it was also a celebration of community, resilience, and tourism. Since its launch, the event has transformed Kasese into a hub of global attention, attracting thousands of visitors and boosting local businesses. Hotels, restaurants, and service providers were packed to capacity, while improved roads and infrastructure have made the town more accessible to both athletes and tourists.

British Commentator Rob Walker after completing the marathon. Courtesy photo

Andrew Kilonzo, the Managing Director of Uganda Breweries Limited (UBL), lauded this year’s record-breaking edition: “The Tusker Lite Mt. Rwenzori Marathon continues to surpass expectations. The sheer number of participants this year is a testament to the passion that Ugandans and the global community have for this event. For us, the Tusker Lite Mt. Rwenzori Marathon is much more than just a race for the brand. It represents a commitment to promoting an active lifestyle among Ugandans by encouraging more people to do things differently. At the same time, it serves as a platform to discover and support local running talent, helping to strengthen Uganda’s growing running community,” he said.

“Beyond sports, the marathon also plays a key role in boosting tourism throughout the year by drawing attention to the beautiful Kasese and Rwenzori region, benefiting local businesses and showcasing the area’s scenic appeal,” he added.

The event was graced by several dignitaries, including the Deputy Speaker of the Kenyan Parliament, Gladys Boss Shollei, Uganda’s Minister of Tourism, Martin Mugara, Minister of State for ICT, Godfrey Kabyanga Baluku and former leader of opposition Winnie Kiiza, among others.

The marathon was organised by Equator Hikes, with director Amos Wekesa reiterating their ambitious vision: “Our goal is to make the Rwenzori Marathon one of the world’s premier sporting events. The long-term benefits for Kasese and Uganda are immense, from boosting tourism to driving economic growth, and as you can see, the Kasese today is not the Kasese of 2022 when we first started.”

“I cannot thank our sponsors enough for being a part of this dream and making it what it is today,” he added.

The fourth edition was made possible through the generous support of partners, including Standard Chartered Bank, Britam, Coca-Cola Beverages, Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Kiira Motors, PSFU, UWA, and Uganda Airlines.

42km Results

Men

Bernard Cheptoch - 02:21:41

John Muthui Musee - 02:22:00

Ayeko Antony - 02:22:12

Michael Kiprotiich - 02:22:21

Moses Cherop- 02:25:22

Michael Mtai - 02:26:46

Female

Rachael Zena Chebet- 02:35:18

Chemusto Keren - 02:38:39

Rebecca Cherop - 02:35:49

Doreen Cheasang - 02:38:08

Joy Loyce Kemuma -02:40:41

Irine Korir - 02:43:37

21km Results

Male

Abel Chebet - 01:02:04

Alex Kiplangat - 01:02:05

Martin Kiprotiich Magen - 01:02:32

Amon Kiptoo - 01:02:45

Ezekiel Mutai - 01:03:12

Female

Kerine Cherop - 01:12:44

Esther Chekweomoi Yeko - 01:13:23

Annet Chemengich Chelangat - 01:14:17

Gloria Chebet - 01:16:55

Naomi Chelangat - 01:17:14