For the 10th year running, the MTN Kampala Marathon has continued to garner unrivaled momentum among Uganda’s social, corporate and sporting events.
Kawowo Sport’s David Isabirye gets down to the nitty gritty of the event, highlighting the high and low moments from the internationally recognized do.
Kenya’s Dominic Kimwetich and Glady’s Kipsoi:
For the first time in history, Dominic Kimwetich became the first male runner to retain the 42km title as the Kenyan dominance of the MTN Kampala Marathon continued. For starters, a Ugandan female runner, Margaert Nakintu won back to back titles in the 42 km event in 2004 and 2005.
Ever since Joseph Nsubuga won it on home turf in 2004,Ugandan male athletes have been playing second fiddle to Kenyans in the subsequent years.
The ‘Run For Water’ Cause:
Every participant, young or old, poor or rich, tall and short had a vision embedded at the back of his or her mind – to solicit support for the race’s primary theme “Run for Water”.
“Many of my countrymen would desire to get clean and safe water. If i could contribute to that cause in the marathon, then my energy and sweat was worth it”, Kawowo Sport’s Ismael Kiyonga, who was so exhausted to tell his position by the close of the ’10 km walk’ he did instead of the run confessed.
Braving the early morning sweet sleep time, the ‘blessed’ heaven shower and the big traffic jam of the over 20,000 participants, many of the runners defied health and weight odds to take part.
Winners’ Cash:
Real dreams come true for those who work diligently, for a ‘mere’ 2 hours and 15 minutes, Kimwetich smiled back to the land of Uhuru Kenyatta with a pay cheque of Ug. Shs 14 M, the ultimate cash prize for the overall winner in both genders of the main 42 km race around Kampala.
Kimwetich’s compatriot, Gladys Kipsoi made her Ug. shs 14 Million in 2 hours and 40 minutes. How many years would an ordinary civil servant on a nominal pay roll of UG.shs 250,000 per month take to make that money??
A networking Ground:
For reasons best expressed in their hearts, a cross section of individuals registered for the marathon for purely non-run for water causes, but as a fertile plat form to meet fresh clients, lovers and friends alike.
“I was in the MTN race to network and get new ‘catches’. My mission really worked out”, a Namanve based ‘Hyena’ confessed to me as the results were being compiled.
The Jokers:
On the eve of the marathon, i read Hilary Bainemigisha’s lovers’ column in the New Vision, a daily in Uganda. He clearly outlined the procedures of winning over the undecided and broken souls with well laid out romantic tips.
His tips once well followed might have yielded excellent results for many and the message to me was drilled home – a chance for the medicorers who would sacrifice a few of the morning hours to just hang around Kololo and the suburbs donned in yellow vests and caps.
From serious competitors, fun runners, sporting icons, Television and radio presenters, columnists, civil servants, students, company CEO’s, musicians, police constables, politicians, lee men to comedians like Afande Kelekele, the 10th MTN Marathon had them all.
Side bets were placed between co-workers, foes, friends who met for the first time and those who knew themselves before. KFM’s Patrick Kanyomozi, Vision group’s Julius Ssenyimba and Kawowo Sports’ Ismael Kiyonga up to now are still debating who ran the 7 km and who walked the 3 km of the shorter 10 km version of the event.
That debate will certainly move on for long possibly until the next edition of the race.
The bottom line: It was a worthwhile project whose major objective of “Running for Water” was well realized, making every participant including Ismael Kiyonga and company a winner.
We meet Next Year – 2014
RESULTS
10km (men)
Phillip Kipyeko 29:20
Stephen Mande 30:30
Ben Somwiko 30:46
Women
Nancy Cheptegei 35:46
Racheal Chebet 36:40
Phanice Chekwemoi 37:51
Viola Chemos 39:20
Susan Nakamya 41:26
21km (men)
Daniel Rotich (UGA) 1: 03:54
Moses Kibet (UGA) 1:04:10
Ezekiel Chepkorom (UGA) 1:04:37
Josphat Chirchir (UGA) 1:04:53
Joshua Mangusho (UGA) 1:05:04
Women’s 21km
Linet Chebet (UGA) 1:16:00
Docus Ajok (UGA) 1:20:12
Doreen Chesang (UGA) 1:21:15
Edna Kurgat (KEN) 1:21:42
Naomi jepkorir (KEN) 1:28:46
42km (men)
Dominic Kimwetich (KEN) 2:15:06
Paul Katisa (KEN) 2:17:02
Patrick Cherotwo (UGA) 2:18:10
Women
Gladys Kipsoi (KEN) 2:40:05
Rosina Kiboino (KEN) 2:44:58
Sally Jemutai (KEN) 2:46:50
Irene Chemusto (UGA) 2:55:16
Abigail Toroitich (KEN) 2:56:12
