Overview:
10% of the proceeds of the marathon will go towards the Martin Aliker Training Institute, a charitable program dedicated to championing skilling and youth empowerment.
- Event: 2nd Gulu City Marathon
- Date: Saturday, 6th December 2025
- Categories: 5 KM, 10KM, 21KM, 42KM
- Start & finish: Kaunda Grounds, Gulu city
- Registration fee: Ug. Shs 60,000
- Theme: Running for Culture and Heritage
The second edition of the Gulu City Marathon was officially launched at Kampala Club on Monday, 16th June 2025.
The launch comes barely five months before the date of this marathon, Saturday, 6th December 2025, commencing at the Kaunda Grounds.
Omoro Member of Parliament, Hon. Andrew Ojok Oulanyah, was the chief guest during the launch.
Great North Run Company is the brain behind the Gulu City Marathon, with a target of over 1000 runners.
The theme for the marathon is “Running for Culture and Heritage”.
Runners and marathon enthusiasts ought to be keen on the Gulu City Marathon because it brings several unique aspects to be celebrated as cultural heritage, the resilience of Gulu and the charity component.
The marathon will show case Gulu’s rich cultural diversity such as local traditions, music, and art. A cultural festival will be organized a day before the marathon at Kaunda grounds where a cultural gala to show case the unique Acholi tradition of music, food and dance will take place. The festival will feature traditional Acholi music, dance, and storytelling. This event will highlight the importance of preserving cultural heritage while fostering a sense of community.
Francis Gimara, Gulu City Marathon Organizer
The Gulu city marathon is a celebration of resilience of Gulu. The emergence of Gulu City as one of the best cities in Uganda after war speaks to a resilient spirit. This resilient spirit that has seen the city transform from a place known for conflict to one thriving with peace and development. The Gulu City Marathon will celebrate this unique journey and will foster social cohesion and national unity through sports. The course takes runners through Gulu’s historic sites, scenic landscapes, and vibrant neighborhoods, offering a unique urban-rural experience.
Hon. Andrew Ojok Oulanyah, Member of Parliament – Omoro County
Charity Component:
In addition to supporting the pre-building of the greater north, 10% of the proceeds of the marathon will go towards the Martin Aliker Training Institute, a charitable program dedicated to championing skilling and youth empowerment.
The marathon will start and finish at Kaunda grounds, with participants running through key landmarks in Gulu City, including the Gulu War Memorial and the Gulu City Main Market.
The personal best run adventure:
The flat terrain makes it possible for many athletes to meet their best personal and individual records across all the races.
Distances:
The Gulu Marathon will be composed of the 42KM (full Marathon), 21 KM (half marathon), 10 KM and 5 KM fun and family run.
All runners who complete the races will be rewarded with finishers’ medals.
The Gulu City Marathon, like many other marathons is one that will create many opportunities for the people. It is also one that will boost the tourism in the area.
Amos Wekesa, Seasoned Marathoner
There will be recovery zone areas with massage services, stretching, and refreshments before a festival loaded with music, dance, and celebration with local performers following suit.
The registration fee per person is Ugx 60,000, which comes with a customised event T-shirt and a string bag.
This is a great event to catapult the Acholi Cultural richness. The organizers need to spread the news wide though!
Thanks Joqsu for the positive feeback. The organizing team of Gulu Marathon have to just laise with Kawowo Sports to promote this event