Tel: +256705452806 / +256788354821
Email: info@exclusivegorillavacations.com bookings@exclusivegorillavacations.com
Monday – Friday( 8am-5pm) Satuday(9am-3pm)
Tel: +256705452806 / +256788354821
Email: info@exclusivegorillavacations.com bookings@exclusivegorillavacations.com
Monday – Friday( 8am-5pm) Satuday(9am-3pm)
It starts on the Equator inside a national park, crosses through savannah and mountain foothills, and ends at the foot of the snow-capped Rwenzori. Runners now qualify for Comrades here. The world is paying attention.
The Tusker Lite Rwenzori Marathon has undergone a remarkable transformation since its inception in 2022. What began as a local race with 800 runners from four countries has evolved into a global sporting event that is reshaping tourism and creating economic opportunity for Uganda
This is the only marathon in the world where you can start at the Equator inside Queen Elizabeth National Park and run through one of Africa’s most spectacular wildlife areas before finishing in the foothills of the highest mountain range on the continent.
The 42.2-kilometre Equator Marathon begins at Kikorongo, close to the Equator inside Queen Elizabeth National Park, before following the road towards Kasese, with the Rwenzori Mountains forming a majestic backdrop.
Runners first head through about 20 kilometres of Queen Elizabeth National Park savannah and Lake George on one side, the Rwenzori foothills rising on the other before turning towards Kasese town. At the halfway point, the route turns through the town centre before heading up towards the mountains and alongside the Nyamwamba River towards Kilembe Mines. And then comes the Kilembe climb: 270 metres of elevation gain that has ended many a runner’s ambitious pace plan.
The 21.1-kilometre Kilembe Half Marathon starts in Kasese town and joins the marathon route after its final 20 kilometres. The event also features 10km and 5km fun runs for recreational participants.
The 2026 edition marked a watershed moment for Ugandan athletics and sports tourism. The event secured World Athletics Label Road Race status, becoming the first marathon in Uganda and the only one in East Africa to receive the prestigious international designation. Out of more than 200 World Athletics Label Road Races worldwide, only ten are on the African continent.
This status recognises the race for meeting stringent global standards around course measurement, timing, race operations, and elite participation. It places the race on the official global road racing calendar and confirms it meets international standards in course measurement, elite athlete participation, safety, and timing.
The new status has immediate and practical benefits for runners. The race is now an official qualifier for the Comrades Marathon, the oldest and most famous ultramarathon in the world, as well as the Two Oceans Marathon in South Africa. Janet Nakkazi, the Comrades Marathon Ambassador in Uganda, said: “Initially, we had to qualify from outside the country, but now things will be much easier because we have an opportunity to qualify here at home.”
The fifth edition of the marathon brought thousands of runners, spectators, and visitors from across Africa and beyond to Kasese. Organisers targeted 8,000 runners from 49 countries, up from 6,000 runners from 36 countries in 2025.
In the men’s 42km full marathon, Leonard Chemonges emerged victorious after breaking the marathon’s course record with a time of 02:13:25, taking home UGX 40 million and a brand-new Spiro electric motorcycle. Alex Mutai finished second in 02:13:36, while Fred Cherotwo came third in 02:13:49.
In the women’s 42km race, Kenyan Margaret Japchumba took the top spot in 02:39:15, followed by Ugandans Vanis Chemutai in 02:43:32 and Joan Chebet in 02:44:08.
The 21km half marathon saw Abel Chebet claim the men’s title for the fourth time in a row with a time of 01:02:00. In the women’s 21km race, Gloria Chebet emerged victorious in 01:12:10.
For the 2026 edition, organisers significantly increased the prize purse to UGX 252 million, up from UGX 92 million in 2025. Winners in both the men’s and women’s full marathon categories each received UGX 40 million, while half marathon winners took home UGX 15 million. Men and women received equal prize money at every position.
The Rwenzori Marathon has become a powerful driver of sports tourism and economic development in the region. The event has helped change the relationship between Kasese and tourism, transforming what was once primarily a destination associated with the Rwenzori Mountains and Queen Elizabeth National Park into a major annual sporting event.
Participation has grown sharply since the event began, rising from 800 runners from four countries in 2022 to 2,200 runners from 17 countries in 2023. In 2024, participation reached 4,000 runners from 33 countries, before increasing to 6,000 runners from 36 countries last year.
This influx of runners and visitors creates a surge of activity across the town, with hotels, restaurants, transport operators, tour companies, and other businesses benefiting from the thousands of people who travel to the region for race weekend.
Amos Wekesa, Team Lead of the Tusker Lite Mount Rwenzori Marathon, highlighted the economic significance: “When a Ugandan from Kampala goes to Kasese, they are distributing money that already exists in the economy. But when a foreigner enters the country, they enter with new money. Whatever they spend actually contributes to GDP growth.”
The event has spurred significant investment in hospitality. Kasese had about 500 accommodation rooms in 2022, when the marathon was launched. The number has since increased to over 2,000 rooms, with organisers encouraging further investment.
The marathon has also attracted government support, with the National Council of Sports contributing Shs 3.7 billion towards the 2026 event. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has mobilised its diplomatic missions abroad to recruit runners, describing the event as part of Uganda’s “sports diplomacy.”
Participants who register for the race receive an official race kit. The 2026 kit maintains its signature green colour palette, with a commemorative fifth-anniversary emblem emblazoned on the lower right front of the jersey. Other distinctive design elements include topographic contour patterns inspired by the terrain of the Rwenzori region, a rising sun representing new beginnings, and the Uganda flag prominently featured on the kit.
The jersey is complemented by a matching cap, bag, and water bottle. The back of the jersey features the marathon’s sponsors and partners, led by Tusker Lite, alongside KIA, the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Rwenzori Natural Mineral Water, Britam Insurance, UCC, and Explore Uganda.
Kasese lies in western Uganda, approximately 8 hours by road from Kampala or Entebbe International Airport. If you’re flying in from abroad, you can fly to Entebbe in Uganda or Kigali in Rwanda and then make your way to Kasese. The road from Kigali to Kasese takes about 6 hours, excluding border crossing time.
From Entebbe International Airport, you can either drive to Kasese or take a domestic flight directly to Kasese Airstrip.
Kasese offers a range of accommodation options to suit different budgets and preferences, from budget-friendly guesthouses to luxury lodges. It is essential to book your stay well in advance, as spots fill up quickly closer to race day.
Registration is via the official website at www.rwenzorimarathon.com. Under the early bird offer, Ugandans and citizens from other East African Community countries can register at Shs 50,000, while international participants pay $50. Standard fees are Shs 60,000 for EAC residents and $60 for international runners.
Entry Policy:
Uganda is home to over half of the world’s mountain gorillas, living in two national parks in the country’s southwest: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
The logistics of combining the marathon with gorilla trekking are straightforward and well-established. Bwindi and Mgahinga are roughly a six-to-seven hour drive from Kasese, or accessible by a short charter flight. The smart move is to run the marathon first, recover for a day or two, then head south.
Essential Logistics
You must book through a licensed tour operators like Exclusive Gorilla Vacations. You cannot simply turn up at Bwindi and ask to see the gorillas. We handle your permit from Uganda Wildlife Authority, as well as transport, accommodation, and logistics.
Book early. Permits are limited to a set number of people per habituated gorilla family per day. There are around 27 habituated families in Bwindi and one in Mgahinga. August is peak trekking season and those slots go fast.
What it costs. A permit is USD $800 for foreign non-residents, USD $700 for foreign residents, and USD $500 for citizens from the rest of Africa. East African citizens pay UGX 300,000.
What to expect on the day. Treks can take anywhere from one hour to most of the day depending on where the gorillas have decided to be. Wear long sleeves, bring water, and don’t underestimate the terrain. You get one hour with the family once found.
The full marathon literally begins inside Queen Elizabeth National Park. In the days before or after the race, the park deserves your full attention. It is one of Uganda’s most biologically diverse protected areas, home to the famous tree-climbing lions of the Ishasha sector, large elephant herds, hippo-dense channels, over 600 bird species, and the essential Kazinga Channel boat cruise, which delivers wildlife sightings of the highest order from the water level.
After the exertion of a marathon, a slow boat cruise watching hippos yawn and African fish eagles swoop is one of the most restorative experiences imaginable.
The Tusker Lite Rwenzori Marathon offers a unique opportunity for runners to test themselves on a certified World Athletics course that can serve as a gateway to the world’s most prestigious ultramarathons. Beyond the race, it provides a chance to experience one of Africa’s most stunning landscapes, crossing the Equator while running through a national park at the foot of the legendary “Mountains of the Moon.”
As lead organiser Amos Wekesa puts it: “Come and run across the Equator. Run through Queen Elizabeth National Park. But it is beyond a run. It has become an economic engine.”
At Exclusive Gorilla Vacations, we specialise in crafting custom Ugandan itineraries that combine participation in the Rwenzori Marathon with gorilla trekking in Bwindi, chimpanzee tracking in Kibale, and wildlife safaris in Queen Elizabeth National Park. We handle all permits, transport, accommodation, and logistics, ensuring your experience is seamless and unforgettable.
Ready to run the Equator and meet the gorillas? Contact Exclusive Gorilla Vacations to book your custom gorilla trekking package today. Click Here.
