Rwenzori Marathon Uganda
Rwenzori Marathon Uganda
The Complete Guide to Africa's Equator Marathon
Every August, thousands of runners gather in the small western Ugandan town of Kasese for one of the most unusual starting lines in the sport: the Equator. From there, they set off toward the snow-capped, glacier-draped peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains and into what has quietly become one of Africa's fastest-growing road races, the Tusker Lite Rwenzori Marathon.
What Is the Rwenzori Marathon?
The Tusker Lite Rwenzori Marathon held its first edition on 3 September 2022, created to promote tourism, sport, and conservation in the Rwenzori region. In just a handful of years, it has gone from a modest local event to a genuinely international one. Participation has grown from around 800 runners in its early days to nearly 10,000 runners from more than 50 countries at recent editions.
That growth earned the race East Africa's only World Athletics Label Road Race status, and it now doubles as an official qualifier for two of the world's most storied ultra and road events, South Africa's Comrades Marathon and Two Oceans Marathon.
Rwenzori Marathon Route and Race Distances
Runners can choose from four distances: the full 42km marathon, a 21km half marathon, a 10km, and a 5km fun run. The marathon route begins at the Equator monument inside Queen Elizabeth National Park, at coordinates 0°0′0″N, 30°5′20″E, making it the only internationally certified marathon in the world where competitors physically cross the Equator mid-race. From there, the course winds toward Kasese and finishes at the foothills of the Rwenzoris, taking in the demanding Kilembe climb along the way, with the glaciated "Mountains of the Moon" as a constant backdrop.
Why the Rwenzori Marathon Matters to Uganda
The Rwenzori Marathon has become a centerpiece of Uganda's tourism and diplomacy strategy. The government, through the National Council of Sports, has contributed roughly Shs 3.7 billion to the event, largely to fund the prize purse, and officials have described it as a tool for "sports diplomacy," using the race to showcase the country to a global audience.
The numbers back up the ambition. Last year's edition drew around 18,000 visitors from 36 countries and 6,000 runners, over a fifth of them from outside Uganda. For 2026, organizers targeted 8,000 runners from 49 countries, with government estimates suggesting the event could reach more than 10 million people worldwide through media coverage.
The effect on Kasese itself has been dramatic. In just four years, the town's hotel capacity has grown from around 500 rooms to more than 2,000, roads have been rebuilt, and a wave of local businesses, from restaurants to transport operators, has sprung up around race weekend.
Rwenzori Marathon 2026: Fifth Edition Highlights
This year's race, the fifth edition, took place on Saturday, 22 August 2026, in Kasese. Coca-Cola Beverages Uganda returned as official hydration partner for the fifth consecutive year, committing sh215 million and supplying Rwenzori Pure Natural Mineral Water across all four race categories. In the days before the event, a delegation of international runners and running influencers, many from South Africa, arrived in Uganda to take part and film the country's attractions for audiences abroad, hosted by Explore Uganda and the Uganda High Commission.
When Is the Next Rwenzori Marathon?
The next edition of the Rwenzori Marathon is expected in August 2027, with exact dates still to be confirmed. Early bird registration typically opens in October and closes at the end of January, so runners hoping to secure a spot, or a good hotel room in Kasese, tend to plan well ahead.
For a runner, the appeal is obvious: a World Athletics-labeled course, a qualifying race for two legendary events, and a start line on the Equator with glaciers on the horizon. For Uganda, it's become something bigger, a showcase race putting the Rwenzori region, and the country, on the map.
Book Your Trip: Trusted Safari Partner
Planning to run the Rwenzori Marathon and turn it into a full Uganda adventure? Eshande Safaris, a Ugandan tour and travel company based in Masindi and has Entebbe Branch, can help you book race travel and combine it with a wildlife safari or mountain excursion. They organize wildlife tours, gorilla trekking, and adventure travel across Uganda's top destinations, with experienced local guides and 4x4 transport. You can reach them at eshande.com to arrange your Rwenzori Marathon trip alongside a Queen Elizabeth National Park safari, Murchison Falls visit, or gorilla trekking extension.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Rwenzori Marathon held?
In Kasese, a town in western Uganda at the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains, near Queen Elizabeth National Park.
What distances can you run?
A full marathon (42km), a half marathon (21km), a 10km, and a 5km fun run.
Why is it called an "Equator marathon"?
The 42km course starts at the Equator monument inside Queen Elizabeth National Park, making it the only internationally certified marathon in the world that crosses the Equator.
When was the Rwenzori Marathon first held?
The inaugural edition took place on 3 September 2022.
Does the Rwenzori Marathon qualify runners for other races?
Yes. It serves as an official qualifier for South Africa's Comrades Marathon and Two Oceans Marathon.
