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Running for Change: How the Elgon Half Marathon is Advancing Sustainable Development in Uganda
November 19, 2025
The Resident Representative ai, Mr. Ian King (left) and World Olympic Champion, Joshua Cheptegei ( centre) flag off runners at the Elgon Half Marathon 2025
UNDP Uganda
More than Just a Race, Augmenting the ‘Man and Biosphere’ Status of Mt. Elgon Reserve
In 2023, the first edition of the UNDP Elgon half Marathon with Joshua Cheptegei was first run in Mbale City. 2023 was also the year when the Mt. Elgon received Transboundary Biosphere Reserve status from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Meaning Mt. Elgon, a Transboundary Biosphere Reserve shared between Uganda and Kenya was now recognized for its provision of a range of ecosystem functions, support to forests, wildlife, and livelihoods, but also recognizing the efforts of the government in conservation, protecting wildlife, habitats, and the environment. Uganda does have another man and biosphere (MAB) reserve, the prestigious Queen Elizabeth National Park. By the time the third edition of the Elgon half marathon was being run on 1 November 2025, Uganda and Kenya had just formally unveiled Mount Elgon Transboundary Biosphere Reserve and signed a Memorandum of Understanding to formalize commitment to the joint conservation efforts. On the 1 of November, thousands of runners converged in Mbale City for the third edition of the Elgon Half Marathon, with renewed commitment towards environmental conservation, one of the three pressing messages behind “Running for Elgon”.
A photo of runners on the streets of Mbale during the Elgon Half Marathon of 2025
UNDP Uganda
The Elgon Half Marathon is run in Mbale City, located just 50Kms from Mt. Elgon Reserve. The run is as much symbolic as it is about determining the fastest runners crossing the finish line. It’s about breaking barriers to create a healthier, safer, and more sustainable future for Uganda. Now in its third edition, this annual event, championed by Olympic gold medalist Joshua Cheptegei in partnership with UNDP and over 20 other key players in Uganda’s development, it has become a transformative platform for sports tourism, environmental conservation, gender equality, and youth empowerment. True to this, the half marathon has over these years attracted thousands of participants from around Uganda and beyond, turning a sporting event into a movement for social transformation. It is proving to be one of the regional running circuits across Uganda.
By showcasing Mt. Elgon’s natural beauty and cultural heritage, the marathon stimulates the local economy and promotes Uganda as a global sports tourism destination. It is interesting also how the transboundary advances for the Mt. Elgon Man and Biosphere reserve and the run are bolstering each other.
A photo of a runner at the Elgon Half Marathon of 2025
UNDP Uganda
Themes that Powered the Elgon Half Marathon
The 2025 edition revolved around three interconnected themes:
Youth Empowerment for Economic Growth: With this year’s proceeds going towards the skilling of young people, the half marathon addressed the long-term economic empowerment needs and with the business created in the region during the run, the half marathon was able to
Environmental Conservation: With Mt. Elgon facing severe deforestation 1,935 acres cleared and 165 kilotons of CO₂ emitted the half marathon, events preceding it and other advocacy interventions channel proceeds into dedicated tree planting, bamboo restoration along rivers, and eco-tourism initiatives to combat climate change. A series of pre marathon tree planting activities were carried out with schools in the Elgon region with over 6,600 seedlings planted this year 2025.
Gender Equality and Gender Based Violence (GBV) Prevention: According to Uganda National Bureau of Statistics 2016 52% of women in Eastern Uganda experiencing intimate partner violence, the marathon amplified GBV prevention and awareness through community dialogues, and advocacy for girls’ education. Preceding events in Gulu city advocated for gender equality in advancing national development. Beyond promoting physical fitness, the event integrated health camps offering screenings for HIV, cervical cancer, Tuberculosis, diabetes, hypertension, and sickle cell disease, alongside maternal health services and Sexual Reproductive Health Rights product distribution.
A photo of Olympic Champion, Joshua Cheptegei and UNDP Resident Representative ai, Mr. Ian King visiting exhibitors during the Elgon Half Marathon 2025
UNDP Uganda
Addressing Development Challenges in the Elgon Region and Beyond
The Mt. Elgon region faces multiple challenges—deforestation, Gender Based Violence, teenage pregnancies, and limited healthcare infrastructure. The Elgon Half Marathon responded through awareness campaigns with a mass walk in Gulu City which brought together stakeholders from government, development partners, religious leaders to members of the community, the campaign as a percussor to the run created awareness on ending gender-based violence, integrated health & GBV Camp offering screenings, counseling, legal aid, and SRHR products to thousands of residents, community engagement partnering with local organizations for ongoing empowerment programs, Policy Advocacy engaging policymakers to strengthen protections for GBV survivors and promote environmental resilience.
I am glad to see all these participants arriving from across Uganda to run for change and meaning. I wish to encourage all of us to continue to amplify this year’s message about ending gender based violence, good farming practices and youth empowerment. Even when we go back to our various regions, the mission should be the same.Joshua Cheptegei at the 2025 Elgon Half Marathon
Impact Beyond the Race
The half marathon is a catalyst for sustainable development aligned with the 2030 Agenda and multiple SDGs including SDG 3 (Good Health) - encouraging physical activity and improving access to preventive healthcare, SDG 5 (Gender Equality) - empowering women and girls through education, safe spaces, and livelihood programs, SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) - creating jobs through sports tourism and local entrepreneurship, SDG 13 (Climate Action) - Combating deforestation and promoting climate resilience, SDG 15 (Life on Land) - restoring ecosystems through tree planting and agroforestry. The exhibition mounted on the grounds from where the run started and ended was in itself an invitation to action. The youth demonstrated their entrepreneurship spirit, taking advantage of the presence of over 2,000 participants to make additional income. Mbale’s renown coffee was on offer, with coffee stalls attracting long queues of coffee drinking enthusiasts. Beauty and fashion products, locally made, organic healthy treats and a variety of other products welcomed participants to the opportunities from Mbale.
This year’s half marathon under its three rallying themes was an inspiration for many. I want to acknowledge the energy and enthusiasm of the crowd, braving the early morning rain, showing resilience over the running distance and really showing up in Mbale. This is as much symbolic to the commitments we have witnessed to elevate the youth, the women and our environment.Ian King, UNDP Resident Representative ai
Call to Action: Join the Movement
The Elgon Half Marathon is more than a sporting event it’s a call to action for all stakeholders from corporates to partner in tree planting and GBV prevention initiatives Government to support policy reforms for environmental conservation and survivor protection, communities to participate in health camps, and awareness programs, athletes and tourists run for a cause and experience Uganda’s natural and cultural treasures.
Together, we can transform Mt. Elgon into a beacon of resilience, equity, and sustainability. For the Elgon half Marathon, always, lace up, show up, and be part of the change now and beyond.
We acknowledge the extensive partnerships that made the third edition of the Elgon Half Marathon a success.
Special appreciation to the 2025 Elgon Half Marathon partners
UNDP Uganda