Mbale City came alive on Saturday as hundreds of athletes and spectators gathered at the Mbale Cricket Grounds for the 3rd edition of the Elgon Half Marathon.
The event, organized by the Joshua Cheptegei Development Foundation (JCDF) under the theme “Sports for Sustainable Development,” brought together runners from across Uganda and beyond to compete in 5km, 10km, and 21km races.
The marathon, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities (MTWA), Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), Brussels Airlines, UNIDO, OXFAM, and other partners, attracted about 1,200 participants.
It aimed to promote youth empowerment, climate action, and the fight against gender-based violence.
Ugandan athletics icons Joshua Cheptegei and Jacob Kiplimo flagged off the races, adding prestige to the event.
Kiplimo, who currently holds the half-marathon world record of 56:42 set in Barcelona earlier this year, drew significant attention as fans celebrated Uganda’s growing dominance in long-distance running.
In his remarks, Cheptegei commended the progress of the Elgon Half Marathon since its inception, describing it as a platform that links elite sport to community development. Before the run, JCDF and its partners planted over 6,000 trees around Mbale as part of their environmental commitment.
Cheptegei urged local communities to protect riverbanks, avoid farming in fragile ecosystems, and continue tree-planting efforts to reduce the risk of floods that have repeatedly affected the Elgon region.
He also appealed for an end to gender-based violence, emphasizing that “violence undermines family well-being and economic growth.”
UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Ian King praised JCDF and its partners for their contribution to sustainable development through sports.
“This is the third edition of the Elgon Half Marathon. As UNDP, we value our partnership with the Joshua Cheptegei Foundation because the event supports communities, attracts participants from across Uganda, and even from neighboring countries like Kenya and Ethiopia,” King said.
Beyond the races, the event provided a platform to showcase the tourism potential of the Elgon region. Exhibition tents were set up around the cricket grounds, highlighting local products such as the region’s premium Arabica coffee, crafts, and cultural experiences.
Later in the day, MTWA Tourism Commissioner Vivian Lyazi joined a group of athletes for a tour of the Wanale Hill, one of Mbale’s key attractions known for its scenic views and adventure trails.
The visit underscored the event’s growing reputation as both a sporting and tourism activity aimed at promoting Eastern Uganda as a destination for nature and adventure lovers.
Lyazi said that the marathon demonstrated how sports can drive domestic tourism and support community livelihoods. The event attracted a surge in hotel bookings and visitor activity, offering economic benefits to local businesses.
Results
In the 21km men’s category, Chelangati Levi of Uganda Police emerged winner, followed by Akwach Peter (Uganda Prisons) and Kibet Mande Isaac (Arua). In the women’s race, Doreen Chesanga of Uganda Wildlife Authority took first place, ahead of Chepkwemoi Loice (Uganda Police) and Cheptoek Ruth.
The 10km men’s race was won by Kibet Dan of Uganda Prisons, while Chelangat Annet (Uganda Wildlife Authority) claimed the women’s title. The 5km categories were dominated by Uganda Prisons athletes, with Comboni Daniel and Chekiremoi Brenda emerging winners in the men’s and women’s races respectively.
A total of UGX 15 million was awarded in prize money, with all finishers receiving medals.
As the sun set behind Mount Elgon, the event left a lasting mark, not only as a test of endurance and talent but as a symbol of how sports can be harnessed to promote environmental awareness, social inclusion, and tourism growth in Uganda’s eastern highlands
