On Sunday, 18th of November, thousands of Mbarara residents braved mist, cold and rain showers to take part in the third and last regional run ahead of the much anticipated 15th edition of the MTN Marathon.

In the end Salimo David from Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) took the top honours in the men’s 10km run while Ajok Dorcus from Uganda Prisons Athletics Club took top position in the women’s 10km run. It was third time lucky for Salimo David who took part in the MTN Gulu and MTN Mbale runs but finished 5th and 6th respectively.

“I want to take part in either the 10km or 21km run next week at the MTN Kampala Marathon next Sunday” said Salimo David who was buoyed by his win and impressed with his resilience after taking part in three runs in a space of 21 days.

Wardress Ajok Dorcus who was in April this year promoted to Assistant Matron by the Commissioner General of Prisons for having represented Uganda at the Common Wealth Games in Australia 2018 also impressed at the MTN Mbarara run as she warded off stiff competition from Cheptegei Rebecca of UPDF and Achiru Nite of Ndejje.

Ugandan middle distance runner Dorcas Ajok is not new in the country’s athletics history as she notably took part in the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Uganda last year. She is well known in the track events and won gold at the 2016 All Africa University Games held in Johannesburg, South Africa.

“I came here to look for long distance endurance experience as I prepare for the runs next year” she said. She also confirmed, like Salimo David, that she will take part in the 10km MTN Kampala Marathon that will take place on Sunday 25^th November, 2018.

KCCA turned double victors in both the men and women’s 5km run as Chelimo Calvin and Cheko Moi took top honours. Sunday Sarius and Chemutai Vincent from Uganda Police took second and third places in the men’s 5km run while Chelangat Rebecca from Prisons and Chebet Aisha from Arua finished in similar place in the women’s 5km run.

It has been a good outing for the Uganda Police Athletics club who also finished strong in last week’s Gulu Run. Kassim Latigo, a renowned Senior Fitness Instructor from Lakes Gym and Spa took the runners through a warm up session from 6.30am at the MTN Mbarara Run which was attended by a mix of running enthusiasts, family and friends.

On a weekend that saw celebrated sports journalist Andrew Kabuura get introduced to media personality Flavia Tumusiime, many had hoped that a local runner from Mbarara would put icing on the cake by taking a podium position but it was unfortunately not to be as local runners were swept away thanks to stiff competition thanks to visiting runners who came from other regions of Uganda.

Jose Chameleone and King Saha provided the much needed entertainment after a warm down session and prize giving ceremony.  At the run, MTN Marathon partners and sponsors Coca-Cola Beverages Africa, Stanbic Bank, Huawei Uganda, Vision Group and SPEDAG were present courtesy of their regional executives and representatives.

Marathon Winners in Mbarara