5th Anniversary Edition · August 22, 2026

Rwenzori-Marathon

Run across the Equator. Beneath the Mountains of the Moon. In the Heart of Africa’s Pearl. On the morning of August 22, 2026, thousands of runners from across the globe will lace up their shoes in Kasese, Uganda, and do something no other marathon on Earth can offer: cross the Equator, run through the foothills of glacier-capped peaks, and finish in one of Africa’s most jaw-dropping landscapes. This is the Tusker Lite Rwenzori Marathon 2026, and this year, it turns five.

More Than a Race. A Movement.

When the Tusker Lite Rwenzori Marathon was born in 2022, it started with just over 800 runners and a bold dream: could a single sporting event spark the transformation of an entire region? Four editions later, the answer is a thundering yes. What began as an ambitious idea has evolved into one of Africa’s fastest-rising sports tourism events, drawing participants from over 36 countries and pumping billions of shillings into the local economy with every edition.

Kasese, once overlooked despite its extraordinary setting between two national parks, straddling the Equator beneath the legendary Rwenzori Mountains, has been reborn. Hotel rooms have grown from 500 to over 2,000. Roads have been rebuilt. Entire neighborhoods are under construction. And this August, for the 5th anniversary edition, the organisers have promised to go bigger than ever before.

“This isn’t just about one weekend in Western Uganda. It’s about unlocking long-term benefits, enhancing Uganda’s tourism brand globally, and proving that our country can host high-quality, high-impact international events.” Amos Wekesa, Marathon Team Lead

The Course: Africa’s Most Scenic Race

Forget flat city circuits and industrial waterfronts. The Rwenzori Marathon is a feast for the senses. The course begins at the Equator, the only internationally certified marathon on the planet, where runners literally cross the zero-degree latitude line and wind through the stunning foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains, Africa’s third-highest massif, whose snowcapped Margherita Peak soars to 5,109 metres above sea level.

As you push through the kilometres, the “Mountains of the Moon” loom above you in all their ancient, glacier-crowned glory. The air is crisp, the landscape cinematic, and the crowd lining Kasese’s streets is electric. It’s not just a marathon, it’s a journey through one of the most stunning corridors of untouched African wilderness on Earth.

Choose Your Challenge

Whether you’re a seasoned marathoner chasing a World Athletics qualification or a first-time fun runner stepping out for 5km, the Rwenzori Marathon has a distance for you.

42.2km– Full Marathon

World Athletics certified. Cross the Equator. Qualify for global events.

21km– Half Marathon

The perfect balance of challenge and spectacle for intermediate runners.

5km– Fun Run

For families, beginners, and anyone who wants to soak in the electric atmosphere.

A Global Stage for Ugandan Athletes

The marathon’s 2024 certification by World Athletics, making it Uganda’s first and only certified course, was a game-changer. Elite athletes can now use their finish times to qualify for international races, including the Comrades, Two Oceans, and World Marathon Majors. For Ugandan long-distance runners, this is an unprecedented homegrown platform to compete and be seen on the world stage.

In 2025, runners from 36 countries descended on Kasese, including a dominant contingent of over 450 Kenyan athletes alongside participants from Europe, Asia, and the Americas. The 2026 edition promises even greater global representation, with organisers targeting thousands more international runners and the buzz of a landmark 5th anniversary celebration.

Running for the Glaciers

There is one more powerful reason to run: the Rwenzori glaciers are melting. As one of the regions most at risk from climate change, Kasese and the Rwenzori Mountains face an existential threat. The marathon was founded in part to raise global awareness of this crisis, bringing the world’s eyes to these irreplaceable ecosystems while there is still time to act. Every runner who crosses that finish line carries that story home.

Extend Your Adventure

Run It. Then Explore It All.

The marathon is just the beginning. Uganda, the Pearl of Africa, is a wildlife treasure trove waiting to be discovered. Pair your race with one of our handcrafted Uganda safari packages and turn your marathon weekend into the adventure of a lifetime.

Most Popular Safari Packages

5 Days

Marathon + Queen Elizabeth Wildlife Safari

• Run the Rwenzori Marathon in Kasese
• Game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Tree-climbing lions of Ishasha sector
• Kazinga Channel boat cruise
• Hippos, elephants & buffalo up close

Enquire About This Safari Package

Best Value

7 Days

Marathon + Bwindi Gorilla & Queen Elizabeth National Park Combo

• Run the Rwenzori Marathon
• Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
• Rwenzori Mountains Nature Walk
• Queen Elizabeth game drives & boat cruise
• Community village experiences

Enquire About This Safari Package

10 Days

Ultimate Pearl of Africa All Highlights

• Run the Rwenzori Marathon
• Gorilla & chimpanzee trekking (Bwindi + Kibale)
• Queen Elizabeth National Park full circuit
• Rwenzori Mountains trek
• Murchison Falls experience
• Cultural experiences

Enquire About This Safari Package

Your Starting Gun is August 22, 2026.

Accommodation books out fast. Kasese fills up months in advance. Register for the race and lock in your safari package early. See you at the Equator.

Register for the Marathon.