A thin veil of drizzle hung over Kampala on Sunday morning, as the air carried a stubborn chill. Yet neither the cold nor the grey skies could restrain the steady stream of determined footsteps heading toward Kitante Primary School playground. By 6:30 a.m., what had begun as scattered silhouettes walking through the mist had swelled into a crowd of colour, as hundreds of runners clad in bright kits, stretching, laughing, tightening shoelaces, and greeting familiar faces.
This was not just another race. It was the Wildlife half marathon, organised by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), with a purpose of raising funds for the children of fallen rangers, men and women who had paid the ultimate price protecting Uganda’s natural heritage.
Flagged off by Tom Butime, the minister for tourism, wildlife and antiquities, the first wave of 21 kilometre runners surged forward, their shoes splashing lightly against the wet tarmac as they sped along Yusuf Lule road. They curved onto Jinja road, pushing towards Naalya, weaving through Kiwatule and Ntinda, before looping back through Old Kira Road.
The 10 kilometre runners followed a different rhythm but carried the same purpose. From Yusuf Lule road, they branched off toward Archer road, wound through Lugogo and Malcolm X Avenue, and returned to the starting point.
Yet it was the 5 kilometre category that drew the largest crowd; families, conservationists, influencers, seasoned runners, and first-timers. Among them was Martin Mugarra, minister of state for tourism, running alongside Dr. James Musinguzi, the UWA executive director, and board members led by their chairperson Prof. James Kalema.
Winners
Mark Biryomumeisho won the men’s 21km race bagging a medal and Sh1m, followed by Ezekiel Kipsisei in the second position who was also awarded a medal and sh700,000, Silas Boch in the third position bagged sh500,000, followed by Abraham Kiplimo in the fourth position with sh300,000 and Geofrey Kasuro in the fifth position was given sh200,000.
Doreen Chesang triumphed in the women’s 21km marathon, followed by Annet Chelangat Chemengich and Annet Chesang took the third position. Viola Chemos came fourth and Aisha Cherotich in fifth position. The five ladies were also awarded as their male counterparts in the same running category.
Halima Nakaayi won the women’s 10km race bagging a medal and sh600,000, followed by Sarah Chebet in second position and Angeline Chelimu came third, winning sh300,000 and sh200,000 respectively.
In the men’s 10km category, Kevin Kibaki took the day, followed by Calvin Chelimo in second position and Rogers Chebet in third place. Men in the 10km race were awarded with similar prizes as their female counterparts in the same running category.
This was more than a marathon. It was a collective heartbeat pounding in honour of fallen guardians of the wild, and in hope for the children they left behind.
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