Over 5,000 runners participated in the Absa KH3-7 Hills Run marathon held on Sunday. The annual marathon challenges runners to traverse the length of the proverbial 7 hills that make up Kampala City.
Proceeds from the run, dubbed “Run Her Race” and organized by Absa Bank Uganda and Kampala Hash House Harriers (KH3), will go towards initiatives that focus on returning girls who have dropped out of school prematurely to school, as well as providing urgent menstrual hygiene support to impoverished schoolgirls who often drop out of school due to the prohibitive costs of sanitary products.
The overall winners in the Ladies’ category were Kareen Chemusto, who won the race, Annet Chesang came second, and Saibi Chebet concluded the podium finishes. In the men’s category, Philip Kiptoo emerged as the winner, with Brian Ategeka in second position and Aggrey Agaba finishing third.
The overall winner, Philip Kiptoo (1:13:36), won a 50×100 land title donated by Bakayima Real Estate Agents. Additionally, the top two females (Chemusto and Chesang from Joshua Cheptegi Athletics Club) and the top two males (Ategeka and Agaba from KH3 Running Club) will be sponsored by Absa Bank Uganda to participate in the Johannesburg leg of the 2025 Absa Run Your City Series in South Africa.
Mumba Kalifungwa, the Managing Director of Absa Bank Uganda, explained why the bank chose this initiative, stating that the bank’s Citizenship ambition is to be an active force for good in the communities where it operates.
Wilberforce Kyambadde, the KH3 Hash Master, expressed his pleasure with the momentum that the Absa KH3-7 Hills Run was gathering in only its second year, now even attracting professional runners.
This year’s marathon, in particular, has attracted participation from elite runners coordinated by the Cheptegei Development Foundation, whose activities among developing local talent include targeted programs like providing a safe haven for girls fleeing FGM in the Sebei region.
The Marathon was flagged off by Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, who remarked that the ‘Run Her Race’ initiative was in line with the government agenda to promote girl child education. He noted that the National Development Plan III prioritizes the strengthening of affirmative action for the enrollment of girls in BTVET and allocates 30% of all funds under the new Parish Development Model to women.
Mr. Kalifungwa expressed appreciation to all partners and runners who participated in the event, highlighting the impact of last year’s funds, which supported over 2,750 girls with menstrual hygiene management and other initiatives aimed at supporting girls’ education and skills development.
The run had 5km and 22km legs and attracted several sponsors and partners, including Kampala Pharmaceutical Industries, Vivo Energy Uganda, Aquafina, New Vision Group, Bakaima Real Estate Agents, Biyinzika Pearl Chicken, Next Media Services, Fenon Premium Events, Kakira Sugar Limited, DHL Express, UAP Old Mutual, Graphics Systems, Case Medical Services, Hostalite Ltd, Prudential, KCCA, and Uganda Red Cross.