Africa-Press – Uganda. Long-distance runner Abel Chelangat knows what it means to lack—and that reality has shaped his humility, work ethic, and deep commitment to uplifting others in the running community.
In August last year, following a public outcry over the lack of transport for athletes heading to the Tusker Lite Mt Rwenzori Marathon, the event organizers stepped in, arranging transportation from Kapchorwa to Kasese.
Chelangat, one of the beneficiaries, made the most of that opportunity—winning the 42km category of the 2024 edition.
Since then, his journey has been nothing short of remarkable. Scouted by Adidas representatives in Kasese, Chelangat received an invitation to compete in the Porto Marathon in Portugal that November.
He clinched victory and walked away with $5,000 (approx. Shs19 million) in prize money. In April 2025, sponsored by Adidas, he won the Rabat International Marathon, earning $15,000 (about Shs55 million).
Yet, even with international success, Chelangat remains deeply rooted in his home community of Bukwo. As preparations heat up for the fourth edition of the Tusker Lite Mt Rwenzori Marathon slated for August 23, 2025, he has been investing in his fellow athletes.
The Shs10 million prize money he won last year hasn’t only gone into personal development—it has helped fund training camps, transport, nutrition, medication, and gear for fellow runners in Bukwo.
“I know what it feels like to struggle just to prepare for a race, so when I got the chance to do better, I decided to also make it easier for others. No one should miss an opportunity just because of lack of basics,” Chelangat says.
With a growing cast of budding athletes from Bukwo and beyond set to compete in Uganda’s only World Athletics-certified marathon, Chelangat is urging young runners to approach the sport with heart and commitment.
“You really have to like running. You can’t just run for money.”
Chelangat’s training schedule is rigorous. He begins each day at 5 a.m. with light mobility and strength work, followed by a 25km run in the morning and another 10km in the evening at an easy pace of 4 minutes per kilometre. Tuesdays and Thursdays are reserved for speed work, while Saturdays are dedicated to long runs—often as far as 38km.
His approach to hydration is equally meticulous.
“It starts three days before race day,” he explains. “During the run, you don’t drink—you take small, small sips.”
Chelangat believes that the toughest part of running is mental rather than physical.
“You should not have a mind that is tortured. You should have a free mind,” he says, adding that most injuries are caused not by overtraining, but by wrong training—particularly a lack of strength and mobility work.
“The terrain where we’re born makes us strong. I see the hard training we’re doing; it makes us fight easier when we compete.”
Denise Paula Nazzinda, Brand Manager for Tusker Lite at Uganda Breweries Limited, notes that the brand takes pride in supporting communities through the marathon—not just by promoting wellness and fitness, but by creating real opportunities for athletes, enhancing tourism, and championing environmental sustainability.
“We are not just sponsoring a race; we are building a platform that brings real change to communities on many levels. Together with our partners, we’re happy to see positive growth, stronger communities, and opportunities opening up for so many,” she said. “We believe that the fourth edition of the Tusker Lite Mt Rwenzori Marathon will take us even further in creating lasting impact and inspiring a new generation of athletes.”
The 2025 Tusker Lite Mt Rwenzori Marathon promises to be its most impressive edition yet—with nearly 6,000 runners from up to 50 countries, increased global and government engagement, eco-conscious operations, vibrant race events, and a significant boost to local economies and tourism.
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