MTN Uganda and Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF) in the run-up to the MTN Kampala Marathon will this weekend host a wheelchair and handcycle races.
These annual races take place a week before the MTN Kampala Marathon and target disabled women and men.
It will take place on Sunday, 12th November 2017, starting and ending at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds.
“An opportunity for marathon participants in the wheelchair category to come out and represent their cause. This category is very special to us at MTN and Uganda Athletics Federation and it highlights our support for participation in athletics across the board,” said Valery Oketcho, the Corporate Communications Manager in a statement.
According to UAF, the competition will involve only two categories, wheelchairs and handcycle categories, of which there is prize money for the top three positions.
The top 3 in each of the two races will win prize money, in total valued at Shs11.2m.
Women and men who finish first in both races will win Shs1.5m each.
“Previously the wheelchair marathoners were grouped together with the general participants. We noticed that they met challenges during the marathon including being pushed out of the way by the other participants, they faced undue stigma, crowding, and inconvenience,” added Oketcho.
“In some instances, some wheelchair marathon participants were assisted to go faster creating unfair competition and it would surprise you that even able-bodied marathoners would attempt to hitch rides on the wheelchairs! We are therefore offering special attention and the required space for our wheelchair participants to come out to maximize this day.”
The prize money for the winners will be awarded at the 19th November 2017 MTN Kampala Marathon.
Registration for the MTN Kampala Marathon is still ongoing at several MTN service centers.
The edition in 2017 will focus on supporting causes, which participants have the choice to choose from.
They include; improving maternal health services in Kiswa and Komamboga health centers or replacing cancer-causing asbestos roofing in Kampala schools.