A guide on selecting your route to run during the Tusker Lite rwenzori marathon

This is what each running route like?

One of the biggest attractions of the Rwenzori Marathon is that every route showcases a different side of Kasese District.

This is considered one of Africa's most spectacular road marathons.

·       Runs at the famous Equator in the savannah plains surrounding Queen Elizabeth National Park.

·       Views of acacia woodland and open grasslands.

·       Wildlife may occasionally be seen in the surrounding protected landscape of Queen Elizabeth national Park (although not on the race course itself).

·       Gradually approaches the foothills of the Mountains, with great backdrop of the Rwenzori Mountains National Park.

·       The only known marathon route that crosses the Equator.

·       Long panoramic views of the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains.

·       Rolling hills with approximately 400 metres of elevation gain.

·       Entirely on tarmac.

·       Passes through changing scenery from dry savannah to lush mountain foothills. 

·       Runners pass through villages where local communities line the roads.

·       Traditional dancers, drummers and school children cheer participants.

·       Markets and trading centres create a festive atmosphere throughout the course.

Many runners consider this the most beautiful route.

·       Runs through the green foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains.

·       Rivers flowing from the mountains.

·       Dense vegetation and cool mountain air.

·       Mango trees, plantations and fertile farms.

·       Constant views of the "Mountains of the Moon."

·       Gentle climbs and descents.

·       Valleys carved by glacial rivers.

·       Named among the world's most scenic half-marathons.

·       Passes communities with traditional Bakonzo homes.

·       Coffee farms and banana plantations.

·       Friendly local spectators create a village festival atmosphere.

Ideal for first-time runners.

·       Urban greenery around Kasese.

·       Views of the mountains throughout much of the run.

·       Mostly flat.

·       Fast road surface.

·       Excellent opportunities for personal best times.

·       Runs through Kasese Town.

·       Music stages.

·       Crowds throughout much of the course.

·       Local businesses and restaurants support the event.

Designed for fun and participation.

·       Mountain backdrop.

·       Clean streets of Kasese.

·       Short and accessible.

·       Suitable for families, children and social runners.

·       Live entertainment.

·       DJs.

·       Community celebrations.

·       Colourful costumes and dancing.

Very few marathons in the world combine all of these in a single event:

·       Running across the Equator.

·       Views of Africa's third-highest mountain range.

·       Landscapes that transition from savannah to mountain foothills.

·       A mix of cultures including the Basongora, Batoro, Bakiga and Traditional Bakonzo communities welcoming runners.

·       International-standard, World Athletics-certified marathon routes.

·       Opportunities to extend the visit with gorilla trekking, wildlife safaris, mountain climbing, coffee tours and community tourism in the surrounding region with with five national parks, and four wildlife/ nature reserves.

For visitors staying in Ruboni Tourism Village, the experience is even richer. Just a 30-minute drive from Kasese, Ruboni offers direct access to the Rwenzori foothills, community-guided forest walks, coffee experiences, Bakonzo cultural encounters, birdwatching, waterfalls and trekking. Considering that the village has a range of accommodations to choose from, it is an excellent base before and after the marathon, particularly for runners who want to recover in a quieter mountain environment while experiencing one of Uganda's leading community tourism destinations.