Rwenzori Marathon 2025: Global Influencers Showcase Uganda’s Adventure Tourism

Published on August 16, 2025

In August 2025, nan Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) and nan Tusker Lite Mt Rwenzori Marathon were getting fresh to shake hands a lively unit of world influencers successful Kasese. Scheduled for August 23, nan marathon was marketed arsenic much than conscionable a sporting contest; it was a vibrant shape for Uganda’s rising personality arsenic nan caller hotspot for escapade tourism.

The 4th version of nan Rwenzori Marathon looked group to invited runners from astir nan world. To make an moreover bigger splash, nan Uganda Tourism Board brought successful celebrated influencers from nan UK, nan USA, and Dubai, each boasting ample online fanbases. Their extremity was simple: fto nan world drawback a glimpse of Uganda’s stunning scenery and unforgettable race-day energy, each done nan lenses of influencers reaching millions.

Influencers Joining nan Adventure

Among those being welcomed was Rob Walker, a celebrated sports commentator from nan UK. He was scheduled to tally alongside his family, further highlighting nan family-friendly entreaty of nan event. Joining him were Sean Hammond from nan USA, Nicholas Butter from nan UK, and Angus Maxified from Dubai.

Each of these influencers was expected to stock their adventures successful Uganda done societal media updates, blogs, and video content. Their posts were aimed astatine providing authentic glimpses of Uganda’s beauty and hospitality to audiences dispersed crossed continents.

Beyond Running: A Carefully Planned Itinerary

While nan marathon was nan highlight, nan influencers’ sojourn was designed to spell acold beyond title day. After nan event, they were group to embark connected a curated itinerary that reflected Uganda’s wide escapade offerings. Gorilla trekking successful Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, safaris done Queen Elizabeth National Park, visits to Murchison Falls, and taste interactions pinch section communities were each portion of nan plan.

This schedule was meant to item that Uganda is not only astir wildlife viewing but besides astir outdoor thrills, taste depth, and lukewarm hospitality. By combining sport, safari, and culture, UTB aimed to coming Uganda arsenic a destination wherever visitors tin acquisition aggregate adventures successful 1 trip.

Government Support and National Pride

Uganda’s Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities was backing nan marathon strongly. In 2025, nan ministry pledged UGX 800 cardinal to support nan race, recognising it arsenic a flagship arena for sports tourism. The marathon way itself was unique: starting astatine nan Equator Monument successful Kikorongo and passing done nan rich | landscapes of Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Such support reflected a broader authorities strategy to dispersed tourism benefits beyond accepted hotspots. By focusing connected Kasese and nan Rwenzori region, officials were seeking to nonstop visitors to lesser-explored areas, thereby diversifying Uganda’s tourism map.

Economic Impact and Local Benefits

The Rwenzori Marathon had quickly go much than a sporting event. Past editions brought thousands of runners, spectators, and wellness visitors to nan region, starring to important economical activity. In 2024, nan section system was estimated to person gained much than UGX 15 cardinal during nan marathon period. Hotels, restaurants, carrier operators, and section traders each benefited from nan influx.

This economical boost made nan marathon a instrumentality not conscionable for branding but besides for organization development. By turning world attraction to Kasese, section livelihoods were strengthened and opportunities for sustainable tourism maturation were created.

Discounts and Incentives to Explore More

To promote marathon participants and visitors to spot much of nan country, nan authorities introduced incentives. Entry fees to Queen Elizabeth National Park were reduced from UGX 20,000 to UGX 10,000, while Mt Rwenzori National Park admissions were trim from UGX 15,000 to UGX 7,500. Uganda Airlines besides offered discounted airfares to marathon participants.

These measures were intended to animate some section and world runners to widen their stay, exploring nationalist parks and adjacent taste sites. For Uganda Tourism Board, each further time spent successful nan state by visitors meant stronger word-of-mouth trading and much gross circulating successful nan economy.

Storytelling for Global Reach

By bringing influencers connected board, UTB was leveraging integer storytelling to grow nan world scope of nan marathon. Posts, reels, and unrecorded updates shared by nan influencers were designed to springiness world audiences an wrong look astatine Uganda’s beauty successful existent time.

Instead of polished advertisements, followers would spot authentic, individual experiences—runners catching their activity pinch nan Rwenzori peaks down them, families exploring gorilla trails, aliases laughter astir taste performances. This type of contented often inspires spot and sparks curiosity, particularly among younger travellers.

Uganda’s Position successful Global Adventure Tourism

Adventure tourism has been 1 of nan fastest-growing segments of recreation worldwide. Activities specified arsenic upland running, white-water rafting, trekking, and taste immersions proceed to pull experience-seeking tourists. Uganda, pinch its uncommon operation of wildlife, mountains, rivers, and taste richness, is well-positioned to lead successful this space.

The Rwenzori Marathon was being utilized arsenic a magnet to tie attraction to these offerings. By linking nan excitement of a upland title pinch safaris, gorilla trekking, and taste exploration, Uganda was offering a package fewer destinations could match.

A Marathon That Becomes a Movement

Within a fewer years, nan Rwenzori Marathon turned from a section title into 1 of Uganda’s apical sports tourism events. Every title drew much runners and wider world attention. In 2025, nan introduction of apical influencers was group to push its visibility and visitant numbers moreover farther.

What started arsenic a elemental title was becoming truthful overmuch more—a ceremony that mixed fitness, culture, chaotic nature, and travel. For Uganda, 1 connection rang large and clear: nan Pearl of Africa was fresh to beryllium lived, not only connected classical safaris but done adventure, endurance, and existent stories that could recreation nan globe.

Image Credit: Rwenzori Marathon Official Website