Tusker Lite Rwenzori Marathon returns to its September roots in 2027 and raises prize money

Equal prizes for women and men, paid eight places deep in the marathon and half marathon

KASESE, Uganda, Oct. 28, 2026 – The 6th Tusker Lite Rwenzori Marathon will take place on Saturday 4 September 2027 in Kasese, Western Uganda, at the centre of a full weekend of activity across the Rwenzori region. The race returns to September, the month where it all began in 2022, completing a full cycle of its evolution.

The organisers are also raising the prize money for the marathon and half marathon again. Women and men will receive identical prize money, and both races will now pay the top eight finishers, up from six last year.

Prize money

The marathon winner will take home UGX 50 million, up from 40 million in the 2025 edition, and the half marathon winner UGX 15 million. Prizes now run eight places deep, up from six. The amounts below apply to the women's and the men's race alike. The total prize purse will be UGX 290 million for its 2027 edition.

Paying eight places deep matches the prize depth World Athletics requires for its higher Label tiers, as the race works toward Elite Label status.

A race weekend in Western Uganda

Race day is Saturday, and the organisers are encouraging runners to plan a full weekend around it:

• Friday 3 September: travel to Kasese
• Saturday 4 September: race day
• Sunday 5 September: recover in Queen Elizabeth National Park or at the foot of the Rwenzori Mountains
• Monday 6 September: travel home

New activities and levels of engagement are being planned to improve the experience for all runners and stakeholders visiting the Rwenzori region.

"August is high season in Uganda, and Kasese already sells out of rooms on marathon weekend. Returning to September means our runners no longer compete with holidaymakers for beds. We are very excited to welcome people back to Kasese, and we are already planning how to surprise and excite runners in 2027," said Amos Wekesa, Team Leader of the Tusker Lite Rwenzori Marathon.

Building on 2026

In 2026 the race became Uganda's first World Athletics Label Road Race, drawing runners from 49 countries. The 2026 elite race was broadcast live on World Athletics.

Registration for 2027 opens soon.

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