Here we interview runners who have participated in the Uganda Marathon, so they can share their stories and experiences from the 7-Day Adventure. After all, it’s their involvement which makes the week so special, from the impact they have on the Charity Projects to the community feel they give to Race Day.
Annabel joined us for her first trip to Africa and to run her first ever marathon! A teacher from the UK, she tells us about why she signed up, visiting the school she fundraised for, her experience of Race Day, and what it was like to attend the event solo.
1. What made you sign up to the Uganda Marathon and was it what you expected?
Funnily enough this is a question everyone likes to ask and people don’t believe it when I say I just googled the top 10 best marathons to do and the Ugandan Marathon stood out on top. I’d never done a marathon before, but I’d built myself up to half marathons and so my next goal was to do a full marathon for once in my life. I liked the fact the Ugandan Marathon was a well-organised event, and one that I could do in a relaxed way so I felt confident I could complete it. Plus, you get more than just a marathon out of it by visiting projects throughout the week and meeting incredible people!
I’ll be honest and say I had a lot of doubts building up to the trip about whether I could do such an event and at one point almost backed out! However, I’m so glad I didn’t as it really was one of the best experiences and was above all my expectations.
2. You signed up for the event on your own… what was it like attending the week solo?
Friends and family all thought I was crazy for doing it on my own when no one else was interested in taking part with me, mostly worrying for my safety, being a young, single woman. This made me worry a lot, but again I really had nothing to worry about. As soon as you land you get a warm reception from the organisers. You might even be lucky enough to meet fellow runners before you land which was a great blessing for me as someone who didn’t know what they were doing! As soon as you are with the organisers you are in safe hands and they go above and beyond to look after you. They are always on hand to ensure you have the most incredible week. I’ll never forget the loveliest welcome I received when our transfer arrived at the hotel; it made me very happy after the hours of tiring travelling.
As much as I’m someone who can enjoy their own company, I hate to be lonely and this was something I was worried about when travelling solo. However, I can honestly say there was never a time during the week that I felt lonely as everyone involved is so friendly and there are so many interesting people, so you can never get bored. In fact, I often forgot where I was going and lost track of time because you’d find someone to have a conversation with! I’m actually so glad I did do the trip solo so I was able to make new and different friends and enjoy all these conversations with the range of people there.
3. Which project did you choose to fundraise for and why? What was it like to visit the project during the week?
I chose to support ‘Bugabira Primary School’, because as a primary school teacher, being able to support children in getting the education they deserve is something very close to my heart. Visiting the project was probably one of the best days, from the moment we arrived we had the most heart-warming reception seeing the children run to the bus and grab us to take us to show off their welcome performance. I really enjoyed getting involved in the fun and games of the school, the children were so happy it was impossible not to spend the whole day smiling! We even got involved in painting the school walls, although they might be regretting asking us to do that now! It was great to see first-hand how the money raised is being used so effectively to achieve great things for the school and they were so appreciative of this. So much so, that I felt like royalty from the lunch they were able to provide for us. I’d love to go back and visit this project again just to experience the joy again and see how it keeps developing.
“I definitely made the right decision choosing this to be my first marathon, it has inspired me to try other marathons, however I also don’t think any other marathon could live up to the Ugandan Marathon.”
4. Could you tell us about your experience of Race Day – what was it like to run your first-ever marathon in Africa!?
After the most amazing week you forgot that you’ve actually come to Africa for the marathon! However, race day was just as amazing as the rest of the week and will probably be the most memorable. I never thought I’d say I enjoyed a marathon! I was so surprised that it didn’t feel like a marathon and I probably finished it with more energy than I started! The atmosphere is incredible for spurring you on, especially as the course went through Bugabira Primary School, so it was lovely to see all the children again, gathering round and cheering you on. It’s also a great chance to see more of the Masaka area; it’s an incredible route with some great views (even if this does mean a few hard hills!). I was also lucky enough to find people to run with, which provided good motivation, entertainment and distraction from the reality of running a marathon in Africa! I definitely made the right decision choosing this to be my first marathon, it has inspired me to try other marathons, however I also don’t think any other marathon could live up to the Ugandan Marathon.
5. Finally, what was your best overall memory from the 7-days?
My best memory is the fact I spent the whole week laughing and smiling, I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so much! Just the joy of the event and the people made it for me. I also did love just getting involved with it, the dancing, the singing, and being nominated to teach the children at Bugabira the hokey cokey! Anyone who hasn’t been will probably have the same thoughts that I did before I went, thinking I can’t do that and what a bizarre idea to go run a marathon in Africa, but honestly you won’t regret it and the amazing memories of this experience will stay with me for life. I’ve made some brilliant friends and that’s what life is about, taking risks to have those great experiences. At the end of it I couldn’t be prouder.
