Just days from now, 1000’s of runners and guests will descend on Fort Portal for the second version of the Fort Portal City Marathon, which takes place on Saturday, July 18, 2026.
They will run the 42km, 21km, 10km and 5km races, all beginning and ending at Boma Ground.
But the larger story of the Fort Portal City Marathon lies past the distances coated and medals earned.
The marathon is rather more than a race within the truest sense of the phrase.
It is a platform to advertise wholesome residing, showcase Fort Portal and Tooro as one among Africa’s most compelling tourism locations, create alternatives for native companies and convey communities collectively.
Every runner who involves Fort Portal does greater than full a race. They keep in accommodations, eat in eating places, use native transport, go to vacationer sights, store, work together with communities and in the end turn out to be potential ambassadors for the vacation spot.
That is the larger imaginative and prescient behind A Run in Paradise.
Tourism in movement
Fort Portal is uniquely positioned for a vacation spot marathon.
Uganda’s official Tourism City sits on the coronary heart of a area blessed with crater lakes, tea estates, cultural heritage, forests, mountains and a number of the nation’s main tourism sights.
The Rwenzori Mountains, Kibale and Semuliki nationwide parks, Karuzika Palace, Amabere Ga Nyina Mwiru, Tooro Golf Club and dozens of hidden crater lakes are all a part of the broader expertise awaiting guests.
The Kingdom sees the marathon as a chance not solely to draw guests but additionally to showcase Tooro’s tradition, hospitality and financial potential.
“The Fort Portal City Marathon gives us with a chance to showcase the wonder, tradition and hospitality of Tooro whereas creating alternatives for tourism, funding and financial development,” Tooro Kingdom Prime Minister Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire Akiiki mentioned.
The invitation, subsequently, is easy: come early, expertise the Marathon Business Expo, run the race, take pleasure in Fort Portal’s nightlife, discover Tooro after which return residence with tales price telling.
“The marathon could deliver you to Fort Portal, however the landscapes, tradition, journey and hospitality are what make you keep,” Fort Portal City Marathon CEO Stephen Mugabe mentioned.
Business past the end line
The inaugural version demonstrated the financial potential of the marathon.
More than 1,000 runners registered, 40 exhibitors participated and greater than 100 volunteers helped ship the occasion.
With a major variety of members travelling from exterior Fort Portal, accommodations, eating places, transport operators, tourism companies, exhibitors and native enterprises benefited from elevated exercise round race weekend.
This 12 months, the marathon expects over 2,500 runners and almost 5,000 individuals throughout the three-day expertise.
The Marathon Business Expo, scheduled for July 16–17 forward of Race Day on July 18, gives companies, authorities companies, tourism operators and types with direct entry to members and guests.
Impact that goes additional
The marathon’s ambition additionally extends past tourism and enterprise.
During the inaugural version, 1,000 tree seedlings had been distributed to marathon members and establishments in partnership with Roofings Limited, whereas a share contribution was dedicated to the Tooro Education Fund.
This 12 months, the marathon will assist Tooro Babies Home and encourage members and guests to contribute important objects for the kids in its care.
The marathon can also be constructing deeper connections with Tooro Kingdom, Fort Portal Tourism City, authorities companies, company companions and communities.
His Majesty Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV graced the inaugural version as Guest of Honour, underlining the rising relationship between sport, tradition and tourism.
The street forward
The long-term ambition is to determine the Fort Portal City Marathon amongst Africa’s main vacation spot marathons.
That journey would require sustained partnerships, stronger organisation, better neighborhood involvement and an expertise compelling sufficient to deliver guests again 12 months after 12 months.
For now, the subsequent chapter begins on July 16. The Expo will open. Visitors will arrive. Businesses will interact. The metropolis will come alive.
And on Saturday, July 18, 1000’s will take to the roads of Uganda’s Tourism City.
A Run in Paradise awaits.
