Top Winners
42km
Men:
•Chemonges Leonard — 2:13:26
•Mutai Alex — 2:13:37
•Cherotwo Fred — 2:13:50
Women:
•Japchumba Margaret — 2:39:16
•Vanis Chemutai — 2:43:33
•Chebet Joan — 2:44:09
21km (Half Marathon)
Men:
•Abel Chebet — 1:02:01
•Yeko Sam — 1:02:03
•Kibet Oscar — 1:02:45
Women
•Gloria Chebet — 1:12:11
•Chesang Prisca Chemweno — 1:12:25
•Chemos Viola Munerya — 1:12:35
Leonard Chemonges finally got his reward after winning the 2026 Tusker Lite Rwenzori Marathon in a new course record on Saturday in Kasese.
Chemonges clocked 2:13:25 to win the 42-kilometre race, improving the previous course record by more than a minute and earning Sh40 million in prize money.
It was third time lucky for Chemonges, who finished fourth in the 2024 edition before a difficult outing last year, when he got lost on the route and eventually finished eighth in 2:27:57.
After three months of intensive preparation in Kween District, Chemonges stayed composed throughout the race to claim his first Rwenzori Marathon title.
“It was a good race, and I am still feeling good. I prepared for three months in Kween District,” Chemonges said.
“Last year, I got lost on the route and finished in about 2:28. Today, I kept pushing, created a gap and maintained my pace. Around 36 kilometres, my body was still feeling good, so I decided to relax and manage my pace.”
Chemonges said he plans to use his prize money to secure a home or land.
“With the prize money, I can buy land or build a house,” he said.
Alex Mutai finished second, while Fred Cherotwo was third.
The race was flagged off at 6:31am at Korogoro Equator by State Minister for Sports Peter Ogwang. Chemonges reached the halfway mark in 1:07:11 before crossing the finish line at 8:13am.
The marathon, billed as the only one in the world to cross the Equator, took runners through Queen Elizabeth National Park before heading towards Kasese town and the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains.
Kenya’s Margaret Japchumba won the women’s 42km race in 2:39:15, followed by compatriots Vanis Chemutai and Joan Chebet.
Uganda Breweries Limited Brand Manager Sandra Againe hailed the growth of the event, which has increased from about 800 runners at its inaugural edition to more than 8,000 this year.
“It is very exciting to see so many people gathered here in Kasese. People have come from different countries and different parts of Uganda, all here for one cause — the Tusker Lite Rwenzori Marathon,” Againe said.
“I have been in Kasese for the past two weeks to make sure that people are excited and that everything is in place, including security and the welfare of participants. For me, it is very fulfilling.”
Againe said Uganda Breweries remains committed to growing the marathon and other running events across the region.
“We have been on this journey with the Rwenzori Marathon for five years. When we started, there were about 800 runners, and five years later, we are looking at more than 8,000. As a brand, it is very satisfying to have been part of this growth and culture,” she said.
“We are heavily invested in the marathon. We have also invested in the Gulu Marathon and Virunga Marathon, and we are not stopping. We want to see how we can continue making these events even better.”
World Athletics livestreamed the event on its official YouTube channel, giving viewers around the world an opportunity to follow the race and experience the scenic Rwenzori region.
The development made the Tusker Lite Mt Rwenzori Marathon the first road race in Uganda to be livestreamed on the World Athletics global digital platform.
Ogwang attributed the increase in elite participation partly to the improved prize money and praised the local community for supporting the event.
“The number of elite athletes has increased, mainly because of the prize money. As the Ministry of Education and Sports, that is one of the areas where we came up with the plan to partner with Amos Wekesa and the organisers,” Ogwang said.
“I also ran the 10-kilometre race, and the reception and hospitality we received from the local community was tremendous. The people of Kasese and the Rwenzori region have done a tremendous job.”
“I want to appreciate all the participants who came. There was a lot of enthusiasm, and that is a very positive sign for the growth of this marathon.”
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