Tusker Lite Mt Rwenzori Marathon lifts prize purse to Shs252m

The Tusker Lite Mt Rwenzori Marathon will offer a Shs252 million prize purse when the race is held in Kasese on August 22. The amount is up from Shs92 million last year and is the largest prize fund for a marathon in Uganda.

The event’s fifth edition has also gained World Athletics Label Road Race status and a place on the organisation’s calendar. The marathon was first launched in 2022, and the increased rewards are intended to bring more elite athletes from Uganda, East Africa and other regions to Kasese.

Winners of the 42km race will each receive Shs40 million in the men’s and women’s categories. Second place carries Shs20 million, while third, fourth, fifth and sixth positions will be worth Shs10 million, Shs8 million, Shs6 million and Shs4 million respectively.

The 21km half marathon winners will take Shs15 million each. The runners finishing second will receive Shs10 million, followed by Shs6 million for third, Shs4 million for fourth, Shs2 million for fifth and Shs1 million for sixth. Prize money will be the same across the men’s and women’s categories at every position.

About 8,000 runners are expected for this year’s race, with entrants registered from 26 countries. Organisers say only a few places remain, as the event approaches what is expected to be its most competitive edition. Registration remains open through the official Rwenzori Marathon website.