Run Where the Equator Meets the Mountains of the Moon

#Advertorial

There is a place in western Uganda where the road begins on the Equator and ends beneath snow-capped peaks. On 22 August 2026, thousands of runners will gather there for the fifth edition of the Tusker Lite Rwenzori Marathon — and we would love to see Ethiopia well represented among them.

There is something that happens when runners from different countries line up together. The shared nerves at the start, the encouragement traded on the road, the hugs at the finish — running has a way of dissolving borders. The Tusker Lite Rwenzori Marathon brings together the running communities of East Africa and beyond, and Ethiopian runners belong right in the middle of it. We want this to feel like a family reunion of the road, with the joy of running carrying everyone from the Equator to the mountains.

Picture the start line. You are standing on the Equator, inside Queen Elizabeth National Park, savannah stretching around you. The gun goes, and you run toward the Rwenzori — the “Mountains of the Moon” — their peaks rising ahead the whole way. You finish in Kasese town with drums, dancing, and a celebration waiting at the line. Few races anywhere offer a course like this.

In 2026 the marathon earned World Athletics Label Road Race status. Only a couple of hundred races worldwide hold this designation, which confirms that course measurement, timing, safety, and elite standards meet strict international rules. For runners chasing accurate times and serious fields, that label carries weight.

There are four distances to choose from — the full marathon (42km), half marathon (21km), 10km, and 5km — so whether you are racing for a personal best or lacing up for your first event, there is a place for you.

A word of warning for the marathon runners. Around the 28km mark comes the Kilembe climb, a steep ascent through the old mining valley that has ended more than a few personal-best ambitions. Survive it, and a long downhill rewards you. It is the kind of challenge runners talk about long after the medals are handed out. Kilembe has become legendary – will you face it?

Beyond the marathon, Uganda rewards the curious who stay a few extra days. Gorilla trekking, chimpanzees, mountain trails, and the warmth of the local community are all within easy reach.

Getting there is straightforward. Ethiopian Airlines connects Addis Ababa to Entebbe directly, and from there it is a short domestic flight or a scenic drive to Kasese. A Uganda eVisa is all you need to enter.

Registration is open now at www.rwenzorimarathon.com/register, and early-bird entry closes on 1 July — so the moment to commit is here.

We would be honoured to welcome Ethiopian runners to the Equator start line this August. Come race where two great running traditions meet, and help us write the next chapter of East African running.

See you in Kasese!