Uganda’s World Athletics Label road race confirms updated route, new finish arena, and full operational plan ahead of August 22, 2026
The Tusker Lite Rwenzori Marathon has completed a full operational review in Kasese, confirming its 2026 race course, infrastructure plan, and finish arena ahead of race day on August 22nd, 2026.
The three-day exercise included official course measurement by World Athletics certified measurer Gavin Wright, using calibrated bicycle counter equipment to centimetre-level accuracy — a requirement of the race’s World Athletics Label Road Race status, which places it among approximately 200 races globally to meet the organisation’s strict standards for course measurement, elite participation, race operations, safety, and timing.
A route unlike anything on the global marathon calendar
The 42km course opens at the Equator inside Queen Elizabeth National Park in Kikorongo, where runners cover 20km along the main road into Kasese — savannah and Lake George to the right, the Rwenzori foothills rising to the left. At the halfway point, the route turns through Kasese town before ascending towards the mountains along the Nyamwamba river to Kilembe Mines, where the infamous Kilembe climb delivers 270 metres of elevation gain before the return descent into town.
All four race distances — 42km, 21km, 10km, and 5km — converge at a single finish line, with the Rwenzori Mountains filling the horizon behind it.
Upgraded infrastructure and a new finish arena
The operational review also confirmed hydration station locations, marshal positions, and an updated transport and parking plan for runners travelling from outside the route area. In a first for the race’s four-year history, the finish arena is relocating to a new, larger site in Kasese, providing an expanded recovery area, a new expo zone, and improved facilities for runners and spectators.
Registration open across four distances
Runners from 10 countries have already entered, with thousands expected on race day. Early bird pricing is available until 1 July 2026 across all four distances at www.rwenzorimarathon.com/register.
The Tusker Lite Rwenzori Marathon is held annually in Kasese, Uganda, and is supported by Uganda Breweries, Standard Chartered Bank, Britam Insurance, Coca-Cola Beverages Uganda, and government partners including the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Education & Sports.
