Thousands throng 2018 Entebbe Marathon in support of the area UPE schools

The second edition of the CCCC – Entebbe Municipal Council sponsored Entebbe Marathon held on 24th March 2018 lived to its expected billing.

Thousands of runners, serious competitors and leisure runners took part in the morning marathon that covered most parts of the lake Victoria peninsular town.

In fact, all classes of personalities took part in this worthwhile marathon.

From politicians, Government employees,businessmen and women, the self employed, students, musicians, to the lowest ordinary person, the marathon was common multiplier of sorts to all.

The start and finishing points at Botanical Gardens was flooded with runners as early as 5 a.m ahead of the anticipated 6 a.m flag off.

Uganda Wildlife Authority’s Alfred Kiptoyek clocked 2:13:58 hours to champion the grueling 42KM category ahead of Mityana based Robert Lubega (2:14:47).

Arua club’s Wycliff Simotwa was third with a timing of 2:17:53.

Namasuba’s Alex Chebet and Fred Kayito from Gayaza completed the top five slots.

In the women 42 KM race, Barbara Ashe of Prisons club toppled the rest of the females.

Ashe, an old student at Kiwafu Primary school in Entebbe Division B  posted a time of 3:31:37 hours ahead of Kabale’s Ann Tayebwa (4:05:18).

Addressing the runners after the event, the mayor of Entebbe Municipality, Vincent Kayanja De Paul, lauded all the participants who took part as a means of raising funds to help the Universal Primary Education (UPE) schools within the municipality.

I take this opportunity to thank each of the runners who has taken part in this noble cause.

This is also good for your health. In the same vein, i thank the main sponsors CCCC and the other sponsors as well as partners on board.

A statement has been made and this a break even event considering last year’s marathon. I thank you all

Other top performers:

Gonzaga Ssebuma of Masanafu triumphed in the 21KM men race beating Kampala’s Abdul Majid Hizale (1:09:13).

Police athletics club’s Febia Chemtai took the women 21KM bragging rights after clocking 1:38:42 ahead of Bugiri’s Mariam Kawuma (1:38;47) in the a photo finish kick.

In the 10KM race, Bruce Tindyebwa of Kabale clocked 31:19:00 to finish infront of Uganda Wildlife Education Center (UWEC) runner Oscar Muwanguzi and Airforce’s Alex Siaga who recorded times of 31:27:00 and 32:19:53 respectively.

Eunice Arango, a runner attached to African Gold Refinaries (AGR)  clocked 54:27:14 to topple the rest in the 10KM female category.

Arango came top ahead of Kigungu’s Lydia Nabawanga (57:08:76) and Bugonga Boys’ Primary school runner Agnes Shida with 1:03:20.

St Agnes’ Solome Ekasautu finished fourth with a timing of 1:03:48:61 and Kigungu’s Rose Nakalyango (1:06:01:93) completed the top five slots.

Just like during the inaugural run,  the top three runners earned tickets to take part in the Wuhan China marathon later this year.

Recap:

The inaugural event last year was held on 19^th March 2017.

Felix Kiplagat Erikana, John Kateregga and Jacob Araptai won the 42KM, 21 and 10km races respectively.

In the Ladies Category, Uganda Prisons Staff Hellen Chemutai beat Dorcus Inzikuru to finish top in the 42km category. She successfully completed the 42 km category with a timing of (3:08:56) while Dorcus Inzikuru came second with a timing of (2:03:22:50).

Chebet Rispa topped the 5km category with a timing of 35:46:06 while Janet Achola finished second with a timing of (35:59:06).

Rebbeca Cheptegei and Vanis Chemtai finished first and second in the 21km category with a timing of 1:20:28 and 1:24:51 respectively.

China Communications Construction Company Limited (Uganda) contributed a lion’s share of the total kitty collected with Shs. 65M.

Other key partners in the project were Entebbe Municipal Council, Daily Monitor, Balunywa Promotions, Movit, NTV and Sinocham.

At least Shs 120 M was collected and will be channeled to the renovation of the dilapidated state of primary schools (under Government control) within Entebbe Municipality.

Some of the schools include among others; St Agnes, Lake Victoria, Kiwafu, Nakiwogo, St Joseph’s Katabi, Namate, St Tereza, Kiggungu, Kiwafu Muslim, Marine Base, Nsamizi, Airforce, Changsha and Bugonga Boys.

Entebbe Marathon 2018 (Selected Results):

Winners 42 Km:

Men:

1. Alfred Kiptoyek (UWA)  – 2:13: 58
2.  Robert Lubega (Mityana) – 2:14:47
3. Wycliff Simotwa (Arua Club) – 2:17:53
4. Alex Chebet (Namasuba) – 2:25:59
5.  Fred Kayito (Gayaza) – 2:26:02

Women:

1. Barbara Ashe (Prisons/Old Girl Kiwafu Primary School)  – 3:31:37
2. Ann Tayebwa (Kabale) – 4:05:18

21 Km:

Men:

1. Gonzaga Ssebuma (Masanafu) – 1:07:27
2. Abdul Majid Hizale (Kampala) – 1:09:13
3. Ausi Balikowa (Buikwe) – 1:10:06
4. Mark Biryomumesho (Kabale) – 1:10:13
5. Thon Kuol (Rubaga) – 1:14:43

Women:

1. Febia Chemtai (Police) – 1:38:46:2
2. Mariam Kawuma (Bugiri) – 1:38:47
3. Natasha Nyiraneza (Namate)

10 KM:

Men:

1. Bruce Tindyebwa (Kabale) – 31:19:00
2. Oscar Muwanguzi (Uganda Wildlife Education Center) –  31:27:00
3. Alex Saiga (Airforce) – 32:19:53
4. Primo Agotre (Airforce) – 32:48:31
5. Geoffrey Luteero (Mityana) – 33:30:39

Women:

1. Eunice Arango (African Gold Refinaries) – 54:27:14
2. Lydia Nabawanga (Kigungu) – 57:08:76
3. Agnes Shida (Bugonga Boys) – 1:03:20:53
4. Solome Ekasautu (St. Agnes) – 1:03:48:61
5. Rose Nakalyango (Kigungu) – 1:06:01:93