Allan Andyema powered home to clinch the inaugural edition of the Tusker-Lite Rwenzori Marathon held on Saturday at Kasese.
And Andyema has set lofty targets of representing Uganda at the World Athletics Championships.
“This is the first 42km am running and I am so fortunate that I took it home,” Andyema told the Press.
“The course was very hilly, but for the love of Mountain Rwenzori, we had to do it the hard way. I am hoping to represent Uganda probably in the next World Championships.”
Sadic Bahat and Patrick Omara came close second and third respectively in the 42km race.
Douglas Chebii won the Men’s 21km race while Jonathan Akankwasa and Gilbert Ramutwire completed the podium places.
In the Women’s categories, Isgah Cheruta and Annet Chesang were crowned winners in 42 and 21km in that order.
The winners shared a kitty of Sh42m; the 42km top five in both Men and Women earning five, four, three, two and one Million shillings in that order.
While the top three in 21km bagged home Sh3m, Sh2m and Sh1m respectively.
Thousands thronged Kasese in an event that also attracted A-listers like Prince Wassaja, Former Area Woman MP Winnie Kiiza, UNDP Uganda Country Representative Elsie Attafuah, UTB CEO Lilly Ajarova and State Minister for Tourism Hon Martin Mugarra.
Amos Wekesa, the brain behind the Marathon, expressed his delight and said that the event was a success.
Wekesa added: “We want to attract more people from across the World to run and also climb Mt Rwenzori.”
The event was mainly targeted at promoting tourism specifically in Kasese.
UBL Marketing and Innovations Director Emmy Hashakimama said: “We are proud of what we have accomplished here today and I thank the organisers who have contributed to the success of this event.”
“I’m certain that this marathon is going to transform business in Kasese. Already the signs are evident.”
With next year’s Marathon scheduled in July, Hashakimana added that it will be a big success, “bigger and better” as they will have lots of events leading to it.
WINNERS LIST
Women’s 42km Race
Winner Cheruta Isgah
1st Runner up Amuron Agnes
2nd Runner up Chelangat Priscilla
Women’s 21km Race
Winner Chesang Annet
1st Runner Nasasira Evas
2nd Runner Chelogont slyvia
Men’s 42km Race
Winner Andyema Allan
1st Runner Bahati Sadic
2nd Runner Omara Patrick
Men’s 21km Race
Winner Chebii Douglas
1st Runner Akankwasa Jonathan
2nd Runner Ramutwire Gilbert
