The 2026 Tusker Lite Mt Rwenzori Marathon has officially opened entries, with an early bird registration offer giving runners a discounted chance to secure their place in one of the region’s fastest-growing international sporting events.
The fifth edition of the marathon is scheduled for August 22 in Kasese and is already drawing strong local and global interest just a week after registration opened. Organisers have confirmed entries from runners across several countries.
Under the early bird offer, Ugandans and other East African Community (EAC) citizens—including participants from Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, and Rwanda—can register at a fee of Shs50,000, while international runners will pay $50. The discounted rates will run until July 1, 2026, after which standard fees of Shs60,000 for EAC residents and $60 for international participants will apply.
Registration is currently ongoing via rwenzorimarathon.com/registration.
Sandra Againe, Tusker Lite Brand Manager, said the early bird window is intended to give runners sufficient time to prepare for the race.
“We are encouraging runners to take advantage of the early bird offer not only for the cost benefit, but also to allow adequate time for training and preparation for this unique marathon experience,” Againe said.
She added that the brand remains committed to growing Uganda’s running culture throughout the year through various Tusker Lite Runs held across the country—initiatives aimed at building a strong and active running community.
The Tusker Lite Mt Rwenzori Marathon, which sold out last year, continues to strengthen its international appeal. The previous edition attracted participants from 36 countries, and organisers expect even broader global representation this year.
As part of its international activation campaign, the marathon is being promoted at major global running events. A recent activation at the Kilimanjaro Marathon in Tanzania featured a shake-out run and on-site registration.
Further activations are scheduled at the Two Oceans Marathon in Cape Town on April 11, the London Marathon on April 26, and the Comrades Marathon in Durban on June 14.
At each of these events, organisers are collaborating with international running influencers, hosting expo booths, and leading pre-race community runs to boost visibility and engagement. They are also working closely with Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to coordinate activations through Ugandan embassies in host cities.
Now officially listed on the World Athletics Calendar and having attained Label Race status, this year’s event is expected to deliver increased impact and global recognition.