Hundreds of runners from across Uganda turned up in Bushenyi on Saturday for the inaugural Olympic Day Tooke Run, a colourful event that combined sport, health awareness and the promotion of Uganda’s staple food, matooke.
Held under the theme “Move, Learn and Discover for Nutrition-Care,” the run attracted participants in the 21km, 10km and 5km races, with prize money worth Ug.Shs 120 million up for grabs.
The highlight of the day was the half marathon, which started in Mitooma and passed through Ishaka before finishing in Bushenyi. Prof. Rev. Florence Isabirye Muranga, the Uganda Olympic and Commonwealth Games Nutrition Ambassador, flagged off the race.
Police athlete Abel Chebet claimed victory in the men’s 21km race and walked away with Ug.Shs 15 million. Fellow Police runner Martin Kiprotich finished second, while UPDF’s Alex Kiplangat came third.
In the women’s category, Esther Chebet of Prisons emerged victorious and also earned Ug.Shs 15 million.
The event attracted several dignitaries, including Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa, who represented President Yoweri Museveni.
The run was organised by the Presidential Initiative on Banana Industrial Development (PIBID) and the Banana Industrial Research and Development Centre in partnership with the Uganda Olympic Committee.
Uganda Olympic Committee vice president Moses Mwase commended the stakeholders who made the event possible and noted that part of the proceeds will support Ugandan athletes preparing for major competitions, including the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
The event also gave participants a chance to experience Olympic sports such as rowing, shooting and badminton, while motivational speaker Moses Golola led the warm-up session.
In the 10km race, Jabeth Chesro and Nancy Cheprui won the men’s and women’s categories respectively. Dismus Yeko and Denis Kiplangat completed the men’s top three, while Charity Chebet and Gloria Chebet joined Cheprui on the women’s podium.
Joshua Ayeko won the men’s 5km race ahead of Ssande Chetrack and home favourite Cosmas Amumpaire. Isra Chebet took the women’s title, beating Sarah Chemutai and Joan Chelimo.
By the end of the day, Bushenyi had successfully staged a memorable first edition of the Olympic Day Tooke Run, with strong participation and a clear message about healthy living, nutrition and sport.
