Uganda International Marathon

Actually it is indescribable as it was an incredible week for me. Obviously the running day was a hard one, I had to cope with high humidity, heat, hills, injury. But on the other hand running in this beautiful scenery kept me energized so are the villages and schools that we ran through where kids were waving, smiling, cheering us on, running at us to hold our hands or even pull us up onto the next hill. I felt freedom and happiness. Things, memories keep coming up in my mind: campfire, friendships, wild shower, sunrise and sunset above the valley, beautiful green scenery, unbelievably welcoming people, the calm morning breakfasts at the open air canteen with that view, the kindness, the laughs, my tent, (I think I even miss my headtorch and mosquito repellent), the bus journeys with a new person to get to know next to me each time and kids, kids and kids. General happiness everywhere without having much. A lesson, an inspiration. It`s not just a run, it`s a brilliant package: camping or glamping (there is hotel version, too) for a week with 150 like-minded people from many different countries, working for and with the locals on their projects, doing something good and challenging yourself with a run. Awesome, true mind opener and game changer. Even my wife (who hates running) signed up and did her best during her half marathon distance. She loved it and can`t wait to be back!

This was one of the best weeks I've spent in my life. So the point of this marathon is to raise money for a local marathon (that you can choose). You sign up, then you get the opportunity to raise money for a local school, or a health centre. The week of the marathon, you stay in a really nicely done campsite for 5 nights (like a mini mini Glastonbury), going out to the local projects to see where you money has gone to. You get to play with the kids, chat to locals, and have fun doing some volunteering. There is also some sightseeing, but mostly the chance to meet some awesome people. No one here is a competitive PB-obsessed smeg head. The course is mostly off road, with some 'fun' descents and ascents, and one reckless descent that you really have to be careful with, otherwise you'll crash into a donkey. But its all part of the fun. There are water stops regularly dotted about. But don't waste it as the local kids probably want it more then you do. Feel free to toss the odd bottle to some kids. You wont get a PB on this route, nor will you limp away thinking that this was a slick operation. It's a difficult route actually. But it's a lot of fun, and the support you'll have from the locals will spar you on. Best to think of it as an adventure, rather then another marathon to beat. The organisers really to put their heart and soul into this though, and it really shows.