2023 Tusker Lite Mt. Rwenzori Marathon:
42 KM Race:
Male:
- Gold: Vitalis Kwemoi (Uganda) – 02:17:21
- Silver: Benard Cheptoch (Uganda) – 02:17:22
- Bronze: Shetrack Kimaiyo (Uganda) – 02:17:37
Female:
- Gold: Viola Chemos Munerya (Uganda) – 2:49:03
- Silver: Rosina Jepkosgei Kiboino (Uganda) – 2:50:32
- Bronze: Priscilla Chelengat (Uganda) – 2:52:01
Ugandans dominated the main 42-kilometre race at the second edition of the Tusker Lite Mt. Rwenzori Marathon in Kasese Municipality on Saturday, September 2, 2023.
Vitalis Kwemoi and Viola Chemos Munerya won the male and female respective races.
Kwemoi clocked two hours, 17 minutes and 21 seconds to beat second-placed Benard Cheptoch (2:17:22). Shetrack Kimaiyo clocked 2:17:37 to take bronze.
Abraham Kiplimo, donning bib 263 ran 2:17:52 to finish fourth overall as Daniel Rotich (bib 249) was fifth after clocking 2:18:20.
Female
With a powerful kick to settle for 2:49:03, Viola Chemos Munerya was the overall best in the female 42KM race.
The 30-year-old Arua Athletics Club member hinted at great preparations for her success.
“I trained well prior to the marathon. I am so happy for this victory, my first win in a major marathon,” Munerya told Kawowo Sports.
Rosina Jepkosgei Kiboino (2:50:32) took silver whilst the bronze went to Priscilla Chelengat (2:52:01).
Vanis Chemutai clocked 2:54:25 to settle for fourth place and Agnes Jepkosgei (bib 258) was fifth with a timing of 2:55:22.
Besides the main marathon, the runners were also engaged in the half marathon (21 km) as well as the fun 5 km race that lured the biggest numbers.
21 KM
Dorcas Ajok (bib 1271) was outstanding in the female 21 KM race with a time of 1:16:24.
Ajok was six seconds ahead of Fred Belinda Chemutai (bib 1455) who took silver with 1:16:30.
Annet Chalangat Chememgich (bib 1448) earned bronze with a timing of 1:16:32.
Men 21 KM
Abel Chebet covered the 21KM in 1:02:56 ahead of Ben Somikwo Chelimo (1:02:57) and Norman Kipyeko (1:03:02).
Oscar Kibet (1:03:02) and Thomas Ayeko (1:03:10) completed the top five males in 21 KM.
5KM
Herbert Kibet of Mother Kevin Track Club in Kampala crossed the finishing line first in the 5. KM race.
Kibet was ahead of Barnabas Mugume and Thomas Cheptoyek in the second and third places respectively.
The Tusker Lite Mt Rwenzori Marathon is part of the annual Rwenzori Theluji Festival in Kasese.
The marathon is organized by Equator Hikes and is supported by a wide range of partners such as Uganda Breweries Limited under the Tusker Lite brand, Britam Insurance, Standard Chartered Bank, Uganda Wildlife Authority, Ministry of Tourism and others.
Celebrities such as Rob Walker (British sports commentator) took part in this year’s marathon.
