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.
Mihail joined us on his first visit to Africa after a friend shared their experiences of the marathon from the previous year. Below, he talks about experiencing the local culture, visiting the Charity Project ‘Lwannunda Childcare’ and running his first ever half marathon!
1. What made you sign up for the Uganda Marathon?
I have been wanting to visit Africa since I was a child. I had read a lot about the continent, and also in my university years, I took a lot of interest in its political history and the post-colonial history of African countries.
Uganda presented itself as an opportunity when one of my close friends had gone there the year before and was telling me stories about the 7-Day Adventure and everything that she experienced at the event. The stories about the place and the people were phenomenal and I told myself that if I have the opportunity to go in the future, I will definitely do it. So a few months later, when I saw her post about it on social media, I knew I had to seize the opportunity and went for it!
2. The event was your first time travelling to Africa – was it what you expected?
Nothing can really prepare you for what you are going to experience in Africa. Uganda is an amazing place and a hidden gem. The culture shock that I experienced there changed me fundamentally as a person and definitely broadened my horizons. Ugandan people are super friendly and were very helpful along my journey throughout my stay – I met some of the most creative and resourceful people, which I now call friends!
3. You visited ‘Lwannunda Childcare’ on Legacy Day. Could you tell us about the experience?
The Lwannunda Childcare is a fantastic place! There were so many children at the nursery! The Childcare is so special because it offers free pre-school for all local children [which is extremely rare in Uganda]. The kids there are so special and won a place in my heart.
Katumba Tonny is the main person that drives the change in childcare and he took great care in explaining to us the whole process of the development of the project and the steps that it will take after our departure. I learned so much from Tonny because of his drive and his passion to improve his local conditions! We had such a great time there, and along with some of the local volunteers, we transformed the backyard of the childcare into a colourful playground! It’s hard to explain the feeling of satisfaction that I got after we finished the project work.
The childcare was the project that I decided to fundraise for, and after the information Tony gave us and the work that we did, I saw how important the project’s work can be, and how effective it can be to change lives for the better!
4. What was it like to run your first-ever half marathon in rural Uganda? How did it feel to cross the finish line?
Race Day was very exciting for me. Initially, I had decided to do the 10k distance, but Sonia, one of my friends and a fellow runner, decided to push me to upgrade to the half marathon. It was very challenging, as the course is about 70% going uphill, and this was my first ever race, but the overall vibes were very positive and relaxed- so I enjoyed it fully and managed to make some new friends on the route.
Finishing felt amazing and very fulfilling. Everyone that had finished before was there to cheer us in, along with the locals. Overall, it was a fantastic experience.
5. Finally, how would you sum up the week and would you recommend it to others?
My initial trip was planned around the 7- Day Adventure, but I ended up staying in Uganda for three weeks overall. My advice is that if you are looking to broaden your horizons, or for the adventure of the year, Uganda is definitely for you.
All the people I met through the Uganda Marathon were incredibly interesting, super positive and determined to make a change for the better in a country that many of them were visiting for the first time. My adventure undoubtedly made me a more positive person, helped me meet some amazing and like-minded people and truly humbled me for what I have.
And if you have reached the end of this interview and you haven’t opened the Marathon page…go and sign up now – it’s the experience of a lifetime!
A big thank you to Mihail, the Glass Passport and Global View Photography for sharing these awesome photos with us!
