Uganda International Marathon

Edition history
Masaka, Uganda
30 May, 2025 (Fri)

Running

21.1 km, 42.195 km

Trail running

5 km, 10 km

About the event

Experience a week-long adventure in Uganda like no other. Run a 5KM, 10KM, 21KM, or 42KM race through some of the most breathtaking scenery Africa has to offer. Challenge yourself on a course with hills, rough terrain, and the African sun for an unforgettable experience. Enjoy campfire evenings, music, drumming, and dance in the Athletes’ Village or Marabou Village. Even if you're not a runner, there are plenty of other activities to take part in and the opportunity to volunteer on race morning. Your entry fee also supports fifteen Ugandan junior runners to participate. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to explore Uganda and make a difference.

Races offered by this event

You have 10 weeks to prepare

10 km

30 May, 2025 (Fri)
Trail running

10 km

Solo
On site
Trail
Rolling
Nature
Scenic
Rural

Half Marathon

30 May, 2025 (Fri)
Running

21.1 km

Solo
On site
Road
Rolling
Single loop
Scenic
Rural
Nature

Marathon

30 May, 2025 (Fri)
Running

42.195 km

Solo
On site
Road
Rolling
Multiple loops
Nature
Scenic
Rural

5 km

30 May, 2025 (Fri)
Trail running

5 km

Solo
On site
Trail
Rolling
Nature
Scenic
Rural

Course details

Course highlights

Each route will take you up and down hills, through beautiful rolling terrain, and some of Uganda’s most stunning scenery. The starting gun fires at 7 am for Uganda’s biggest marathon from Masaka. For the next few hours, you’ll be running alongside 2,000 other runners in some of the most amazing scenery that Africa has to offer. Supported along the course by cheering children and locals, this is one of the toughest but most rewarding races on the planet—definitely not one to be forgotten easily! At the finish line, there’s a huge free party for the whole town, then it’s back to the Athlete’s Village for a massage, BBQ, and another party.

Start address

Katwe Rd, Masaka, Uganda

Finish address

Katwe Rd, Masaka, Uganda

Route map

route map

What’s included in entry

These are included in your entry
Timing chip (single use)
Shuttle from Airport
Event T-shirts
Drink Stations
Medical Assistance

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviews

No reviews yet.
Be the first to share your experience!
Write a review

This week’s best deals

Image of Halong Bay Heritage Marathon
Up to 65% off
4.4

Halong Bay Heritage Marathon

Thành phố Hạ Long, Vietnam
23 Nov, 2025 (Sun)
Running
From 16 USD38 USD
Image of Can Tho Heritage Marathon
Up to 65% off
4.5

Can Tho Heritage Marathon

Vietnam, Vietnam
21 Dec, 2025 (Sun)
Running
From 16 USD40 USD
Image of Ultra Maratona Atlântica
Up to 60% off
5

Ultra Maratona Atlântica

Melides, Portugal
27 Jul, 2025 (Sun)
Trail running
From 11 USD28 USD
Image of Meia Maratona Matosinhos
Up to 50% off
5

Meia Maratona Matosinhos

Matosinhos, Portugal
04 May, 2025 (Sun)
Running, Walking
From 8 USD16 USD
Image of Mediterránea Triatlón Alicante
Up to 50% off

Mediterránea Triatlón Alicante

Alacant, Spain
17-18 May, 2025 (Sat - Sun)
Triathlon
From 22 USD44 USD
Image of Mediterránea Triatlón València
Up to 50% off

Mediterránea Triatlón València

Valence, Spain
31 May - 01 Jun, 2025 (Sat - Sun)
Triathlon
From 22 USD44 USD
Image of Narva Energy Run
Up to 50% off

Narva Energy Run

Narva, Estonia
28-29 Jun, 2025 (Sat - Sun)
Running
From 6 USD11 USD
Image of Trakai Triathlon
Up to 50% off

Trakai Triathlon

Trakai, Lithuania
29 Jun, 2025 (Sun)
Triathlon
From 28 USD55 USD
Image of Mediterránea Triatlón Castellón
Up to 50% off

Mediterránea Triatlón Castellón

Castellón de la Plana, Spain
05-06 Jul, 2025 (Sat - Sun)
Triathlon
From 22 USD44 USD
Image of Hyundai Porto Half Marathon
Up to 50% off
4.6

Hyundai Porto Half Marathon

Porto, Portugal
14 Sep, 2025 (Sun)
Running
From 11 USD17 USD
Image of Ostrava City Marathon
Up to 50% off
1

Ostrava City Marathon

Ostrava, Czech Republic
14 Sep, 2025 (Sun)
Running
From 7 USD11 USD
Image of Pula Marathon
Up to 50% off
5
Map

Pula Marathon

Pula, Croatia
20 Sep, 2025 (Sat)
Nordic walking, Running
From 11 USD22 USD
Image of Sierra Blanca Estates Marbella Half Marathon
Up to 50% off
5
Map

Sierra Blanca Estates Marbella Half Marathon

Marbella, Spain
28 Sep, 2025 (Sun)
Running
From 17 USD
Image of Pisa Half Marathon
Up to 50% off

Pisa Half Marathon

Pisa, Italy
12 Oct, 2025 (Sun)
Running
From 11 USD22 USD
Image of Garda Trentino Half Marathon
Up to 50% off
4.8

Garda Trentino Half Marathon

Riva del Garda, Italy
09 Nov, 2025 (Sun)
Running
From 14 USD
Image of Palermo Marathon and Half Marathon
Up to 50% off
4.5

Palermo Marathon and Half Marathon

Palermo, Italy
16 Nov, 2025 (Sun)
Running
From 22 USD44 USD
Image of Sarajevo Half Marathon
Up to 49% off
4.2

Sarajevo Half Marathon

Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
21 Sep, 2025 (Sun)
Running
From 29 USD56 USD
Image of XI Stellantis&you port de palma triathlon mallorca
Up to 47% off
5

XI Stellantis&you port de palma triathlon mallorca

Palma, Spain
21 Sep, 2025 (Sun)
Triathlon
From 24 USD46 USD
Image of Murcia Marathon
Up to 45% off
4.6

Murcia Marathon

Murcia, Spain
01 Feb, 2026 (Sun)
Running
From 16 USD25 USD
Image of Mekong Delta Marathon Hau Giang
Up to 44% off

Mekong Delta Marathon Hau Giang

Vi Thanh, Vietnam
06 Jul, 2025 (Sun)
Running
From 22 USD39 USD

Registration just opened

Image of Messini Marathon
Map

Messini Marathon

Μεσσήνη, Greece
23 Mar, 2025 (Sun)
Running
From 6 USD
Image of Mediterránea Triatlón Alicante
Up to 50% off

Mediterránea Triatlón Alicante

Alacant, Spain
17-18 May, 2025 (Sat - Sun)
Triathlon
From 22 USD44 USD
Image of Mediterránea Triatlón València
Up to 50% off

Mediterránea Triatlón València

Valence, Spain
31 May - 01 Jun, 2025 (Sat - Sun)
Triathlon
From 22 USD44 USD
Image of Astana Half Marathon

Astana Half Marathon

Astana, Kazakhstan
01 Jun, 2025 (Sun)
Running
From 29 USD
Image of Mediterránea Triatlón Castellón
Up to 50% off

Mediterránea Triatlón Castellón

Castellón de la Plana, Spain
05-06 Jul, 2025 (Sat - Sun)
Triathlon
From 22 USD44 USD
Image of Mekong Delta Marathon Hau Giang
Up to 44% off

Mekong Delta Marathon Hau Giang

Vi Thanh, Vietnam
06 Jul, 2025 (Sun)
Running
From 22 USD39 USD
Image of Cursa de l'Alba
Up to 33% off

Cursa de l'Alba

Collbató, Spain
08 Nov, 2025 (Sat)
Trail running
From 22 USD33 USD
Image of Midwest Financial Group Madison Mini Marathon
Map

Midwest Financial Group Madison Mini Marathon

Madison, USA
09 Aug, 2025 (Sat)
Running
From 40 USD
Image of Maratona del Mugello
Up to 29% off

Maratona del Mugello

Borgo San Lorenzo, Italy
28 Sep, 2025 (Sun)
Running
From 28 USD35 USD
Image of PeschieraTri
Up to 28% off

PeschieraTri

Peschiera del Garda, Italy
04-05 Oct, 2025 (Sat - Sun)
Triathlon
From 28 USD
Image of Women's Run PH (October) - Manila
Up to 30% off

Women's Run PH (October) - Manila

Quezon City, Philippines
19 Oct, 2025 (Sun)
Running
From 18 USD25 USD
Image of Torremolinos Half Marathon
Up to 25% off
4.6

Torremolinos Half Marathon

Torremolinos, Spain
01 Feb, 2026 (Sun)
Running
From 17 USD22 USD
Image of Can Tho Heritage Marathon
Up to 65% off
4.5

Can Tho Heritage Marathon

Vietnam, Vietnam
21 Dec, 2025 (Sun)
Running
From 16 USD40 USD
Image of Kaotajai 10 K Thailand Championship

Kaotajai 10 K Thailand Championship

Khwaeng Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Thailand
15 Jun, 2025 (Sun)
Running
From 14 USD
Image of TRITON 3 Rio de Janeiro

TRITON 3 Rio de Janeiro

Mangaratiba, Brazil
29-31 Aug, 2025 (Fri - Sun)
Swimming, Cycling, Triathlon, Running
From 40 USD
Image of Vasaloppet
Up to 9% off
Map

Vasaloppet

Sälen, Sweden
01 Mar, 2026 (Sun)
Cross-country skiing
From 244 USD268 USD
Image of Corrida do Mirante
Up to 33% off

Corrida do Mirante

Ota, Portugal
01 Jun, 2025 (Sun)
Walking, Trail running
From 9 USD14 USD
Image of Brands Hatch 10K

Brands Hatch 10K

West Kingsdown, United Kingdom
04 Jul, 2025 (Fri)
Running
From 39 USD
Image of The One on the River - Marlow - July

The One on the River - Marlow - July

Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom
13 Jul, 2025 (Sun)
Swimming, Duathlon, Aquathlon, Aquabike, Triathlon
From 33 USD
Image of Umeå Triathlon
Up to 23% off

Umeå Triathlon

Umeå, Sweden
09 Aug, 2025 (Sat)
Triathlon
From 50 USD65 USD

News: Running

Read more
Focus on a raceInterview

Interview: Uganda International Marathon

13 Feb, 2015 (Fri)

Credit : Uganda International Marathon Hello, on May 24th 2015, you’ll be organizing the Uganda International Marathon. Can you tell us where it is located? The Uganda International Marathon is being held in the town of Masaka, near to the famous Lake Victoria – source of the river Nile. The entire community of Masaka has opened their doors to this event and the 6 days where runners stay within the community are going to be embraced by the whole town. This is one of the main reasons that The Uganda Marathon is an adventure like no other. We aren’t just visiting a town, running a race and then leaving again. Runners will immerse themselves within the town, get involved with local goings on and see the appreciation of the fundraising within this amazing African community This will be the first edition of the race. What was your motivation in creating it? Where to start? The race is the brainchild of the Shauku foundation, a charity that enables anyone to get full charitable benefit from fundraising for small projects. Over the past 2 years, Shauku raised £3,000 to build an orphanage in Masaka for around 180 children. To launch the opening of the orphanage Shauku planned a short run around Masaka for the people involved in funding the orphanage. The initial response for this race was phenomenal! What we thought was “just a fun thing to do” turned into this bigger and bigger event that has, in a very short space of time, become Uganda’s first international marathon. Our motivations to keep going and make this the most amazing running event on the planet is to bring something to an exceptional African community, to show runners an entirely different culture of running, and to reinvent what a charitable marathon event looks like. §staticmap(24426,5,800,400) What kind of route have you set up for the runners? How would you describe it? The route is being planned as you read this write now ☺. We have a very experienced marathoner sourcing out the best scenery, the most interesting tracks but ultimately the most achievable route around Masaka. Because the community is so keen for this event, we have complete free reign to map the route round the town and surrounding areas, so it is going to be a good one! The terrain around Masaka is going to be rough and hilly, this is going to be mostly a trail marathon, a bit of tarmac, rough road, rutted path, uphill downhill – don’t expect to get a PB on this but it will be a unique race! How many runners do you expect on Sunday morning? What type of runners do you plan to attract? We are expecting around 1,500 runners, of which about 200 will be international runners; the rest will be Ugandan locals and expats. Our runners will all be people looking to adventure and do something out of the ordinary. Of the signups so far 4 out of every 10 runners have never done a marathon before so the standard is extremely varied. What makes this race special is the atmosphere of the race during the day. Do you organize other races during the Weekend? If so, on what distances? We’re doing 3 races in total; the full marathon, the half marathon and the marathon relay. We’re really excited about the marathon relay as it turns it into a team event. The idea is that 4 people run a quarter of the course each, we ferry them out to points in the course and the previous runner tags them in as they arrive. Runners don’t necessarily have to sign up in teams of 4 as we are matching people up with others. It means that if you want to come along but aren’t comfortable running that kind of distance, you can still take part. Credit : Uganda International Marathon At that time of the year, what kind of weather can we expect? May is towards the end of the Ugandan rainy season, which means it’s going to be quite wet and muddy. Temperatures are at a high of 25 degrees and a low of 18 degrees. The race will be at 6’o clock in the morning, which should be relatively cool. This is going to be a tough race, in tough conditions. However, if you can run a marathon distance then you’ll be able to do this marathon – it’ll just be slower! We have taken stringent medical precautions should people be susceptible to overheating. Have you planned festivities around the marathon? We have planned so many festivities – it’s what truly makes this a race like no other! During the 6 day stay, runners will stay with an African family. You’ll hear their stories, eat their food and take part in their lives during the run up. You’ll also get to visit and volunteer at some of the projects that the marathon is supporting. Whatever your chosen project is, you’ll be able to visit the people that your fundraising has directly helped. Then 2 days before the marathon, we are holding the Kids Run Wild event, a 2km race for the children of Masaka, marshaled by The Uganda Marathon runners. You’ll cheer them over the finishing line, hand out medals and share in their joy as they take part in the race. The day before the race there will be a pasta party hosted by Masaka Town, they’ll thank you for your hard work by cooking a delicious meal before the big day! Finally, after you exhaustedly cross the finish line we are putting on a carnival that will last for the rest of the day. You can celebrate your amazing achievement by partying with the African town, they are very excited about this! Credit : Uganda International Marathon The race finished, what advice would you give a runner who has never been to Masaka before? A good restaurant, a fancy sightseeing, a must-do activity? There is so much to do in Uganda and we invite you to stay as long as you like to explore all you can. Uganda is one of the best places in the world to see gorillas so we highly recommend doing the gorilla tour. You can go walking with the animals and sometimes get to sit with them and stroke them. There’s also safaris to enjoy, sites to see, places to walk. Africa is a beautiful, amazing place and we want you to do as much of it as possible. Once you’re signed up, our team will be in touch to find out what you are interested in and what we can arrange for you. In a single sentence, what would you tell the readers of ahotu Marathons to make them register for the Uganda International Marathon? The Uganda Marathon – A Race Like No Other is an opportunity to undergo a real adventure! Do something completely different that you will remember for the rest of your life. Interview with Andy Miller.
5 min read

Want global inspiration and exclusive offers?

Join thousands of others and subscribe to the Ahotu newsletter!
By subscribing, you agree to Ahotu's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Our partners

Partner logo
Partner logo
Partner logo
Partner logo
Sports

The price shown is converted as an approximate cost in your selected currency. Exchange rates may change while completing your purchase. Always check with your issuing bank for an exact exchange rate.

© Ahotu is a World's Sports Group owned service and brand. All rights reserved.

Version: 10.7.4