2025 Gulu City Marathon:
42 KM:
Top 5 (Men):
1 – Allan Andiema – 2:17:16
2- Anthony Ayeko – 2:19:34
3 – Isaac Masai – 2:21:53
4 – Michael Kiprotich – 2:23:43
5 – Simon Kasyate – 2:30:58
Women (Top 6):
1 – Joy Roberts – 2:25:53
2 – Joan Chebet – 3:43:11
3 – Phanice Chemutai – 3:47:45
4 – Scalet Chemos – 3:48:30
5 – Maurine Koech – 3:54:46
6 – Reech Alek – 3:57:35
Allan Andiema successfully defended the 42KM crown during the second edition of the Gulu City Marathon on Saturday, 6th December 2025.
Andiema who runs for Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) athletics club crossed the finishing line in a time of 2:17:16.
“This is a sweet victory. Gulu is good to me. This is the best marathon with a flat terrain in Uganda and easy to run” he sighed as he stretched moments after the race.
“To defend a championship is a great thing and being the end of the year, what a way to sign out 2025” Andiema who earned Ug.Shs 3,000,000 for his exploits added.
Bukwo club’s Anthony Ayeko came second with a time of 2:19:34 as Isaac Masai came third with 2:21:53.
Michael Kiprotich (2:23:43) and Simon Kasyate (2:30:58) completed the top five men.
For the women, Joy Roberts won with 3:25:53 ahead of Joan Chebetwho clocked 3:43:11.
Phanice Chemutai (3:47:45) finished third. Scalet Chemos (3:48:30) and Maurine Koech(3:54:46) were fourth and fifth respectively.
The 42KM race was officially flagged off by Ambassador Olara Otunnu as early as 6 AM at the Kaunda Grounds in Gulu city.
21KM
The half marathon (21KM), flagged off by female athlete star Halima Nakaayi was won by Uganda Prisons Service’s Peter Akwech (01:03:03) to earn Ug.Shs 1,500,000.
Seasoned runner Abel Chebet from Kapachorwa running club came with a time of 01:03:03 as Fred Kusuro of Bukwo was third placed with 01:07:35.
The best female in the 21KM category was Evas Nasasira with a time of 01:15:43 ahead of Ruth Cheptoyek (01:19:34) and Yeko Chekwemoi (01:20:58).
10KM:
Flagged by the Justice and Constitutional Affairs minister Hon. Norbert Mao and the Lt. Gen Charles Otema Awany, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Reserve Force Commander, the 10KM race was won by Laban Kibet (00:31:06) who powered ahead of Daniel Odwe (00:31:55) and Arthur Opio (00:33:19).
Farida Donia crossed the finishing line as the best female in the 10KM race with a time of 00:41:22.
Brenda Acayo (00:52:44) and Paige Balcom (00:55:51) followed suit in the second and third positions respectively.
5KM fun race:
A large fraction of the runners participated in the 5KM fun run that was flagged off by the Uganda Baati Managing Director.
Genesis Androa returned back first in a time of 00:24:14 ahead of Godfrey Nyeko (00:30:06).
The best female in the 5KM category was Petwa Abulo with a time of 00:26:46 as Rebecca Lanyeo (00:34:55) and Lilly Atimango (00:36:14) followed to complete the top three positions.
Wheel chair race:
27-year-old Richard Ocira won the men wheelchair race.
Ocira, a phone technician in Gulu lauded the race organizers for the inclusivity element of having the disabled runners cartered for.
“First of all, I am humbled to come number one. I have been training well and it paid off. I want to want the organizers of Gulu city marathon for thinking about the disabled runners” Ocira noted.
Over 1500 participants turned up to participate in this run organized under the theme “Running for culture and heritage”.
The run’s charity element had 10 % of the event proceeds channeled towards the Martin Aliker Youth Skilling Centre in Abole, Omoro District.
Sponsors’ bandwagon:
Uganda Baati, Uganda Breweries Limited (under Tusker Lite brand), Equity Bank, Uganda Airlines, National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC), CFAO Mobility, Suzuki, Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), Krystal Water, National Information Technology Authority (NITA), Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), Electoral Commission, Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCCA) and Swangz Avenue joined hands to make the event a success.
