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.
When Mark signed up to the Uganda Marathon as part of his personal challenge to run a marathon on every continent, his dad, Steve, decided to join as well. So as father and son, they joined us on the 7-Day Adventure. Below they tell us about their experiences at the Charity Projects, Race Day, going on safari and gorilla trekking, and their favourite memories from the week.
1. What made you both sign up for the Uganda Marathon and was it what you expected?
Mark: After completing my first marathon in New Zealand in 2014 I decided I wanted to run one on every continent. It did start off as a lifetime goal but has since been one a year every year – year 5 was Africa. With a rough idea of doing Mt.Kilimanjaro, I searched “best marathons to run in Africa” and the Uganda Marathon featured highly on every search. So, I looked a little deeper and decided that was the one for me.
In truth it was more than I expected, I knew I would love the trip because it incorporated lots of things I enjoy, but I was a little apprehensive about the logistics of being part of such a big group on an ‘organised event week’. So I was pleasantly surprised how smoothly everything ran and how specific and personal everything was. It didn’t feel manufactured and neither myself nor my dad felt at any point we were just a number.
Steve: When Mark told us that he was running in a charity marathon in Uganda I thought ‘Good for you son’. When he said he was going on a safari and a trip to see the gorillas the week after I had a serious senior moment and said I’d come along too and do the 10K.
I don’t know what I expected really except that it was going to involve walking rather than running. I’ve never run distance and reckoned I was too old to start now!
2. What projects did you choose to fundraise for and why? Could you tell us about your experiences with these projects in Uganda?
Steve: I chose Bugabira School in the end but they all seemed worthwhile and I was tempted by one or two others, but as a retired primary school teacher the kids won out in the end. The day spent there was great. A wonderful welcome and happy smiles all day. Kids in British schools should be able to see just how little their counterparts in Africa have and it seems that Bugabira is now probably the best-endowed school in Masaka thanks to the marathon! It was extremely gratifying to know that the money we raised and the work we did creating the keyhole gardens will be of direct benefit to the staff and pupils.
Mark: I chose to fundraise for SCOPE. All of the projects were worthy and to be honest it wouldn’t have mattered if I had no choice. I picked SCOPE as it was an outdoor project with manual labour and felt it best utilised my skill set and attributes.
3. What was your experience of Race Day: Mark, what was it like to run the 42K, and Steve, what was it like to participate in the 10K?
Mark: Race day was a joke – the Uganda International Marathon “Tore me a new A!@“hole” to put it bluntly. I massively underestimated the terrain and the course. Also, being a fairly quick road racer I didn’t drop my pace down enough during the first half as I was not used to this type of running.
Having said all that, Race Day gave me some of my favourite ever memories. Running at mile 17 holding hands in one big row with 8 children up a hill and my quad then exploding with cramp due to no use of my arms is how to experience the best and the worst of distance running. Then again on the 2nd lap of ‘The Beast’ as I walked up the first half beaten into submission, when a small local boy walked over, took my hand and led me to the top, represented the worst feeling to the best. An unforgettable race.
Steve: Race day for me started with a rather bad hypo (I’m a type 2 diabetic) so after several bananas and two cups of sweet coffee to try and bring my sugar levels up I felt well enough to wander down to the start. I managed to see Mark start his race thanks to the delay so that was a bonus. I spent the rest of the time till my start in the medical tent being checked over and stocking up on goodies that very kind people gave me.
I started at the back of the bunch and watched them all gallop off into the distance and then proceeded to potter round by myself at my own pace. The medics at the first water station were watching out for me and gave me a once over before letting me loose again. I can’t praise the medical team highly enough. It was a great walk though I did jog the last 10 yards over the finish line!
I went to the medical tent for my discharge papers, watched the disabled racers finish, met the son and then waited to cheer American Bob over the line at the end of his marathon.
4. You extended your stay in Uganda to go on Safari and Gorilla Trekking in the Rainforest. Could you tell us about the experience?
Steve: The extension was great fun. We had a really good (and knowledgeable) driver, Amos, who guided us throughout the tour. We saw too many animals on the safari to list here from hippos to lions in trees to monitor lizards. The first evening meal was in al fresco while some of the staff patrolled the perimeter to keep the wild elephant at bay. (I kid you not).
Day 3 was an early start to get to the mountain lodge for the trek. It’s chilly up there so the hot water bottles we found in our beds were more than welcome. Didn’t expect that in equatorial Africa!
The trek itself wasn’t too long thanks to Amos but it was up and down some very steep hills. The trackers had been out for a couple of hours and found us a family group of a silverback, his mate and a one-year-old baby, as well as a couple of teenagers. Mind you one teenager was asleep most of the time and the other was off sulking in the undergrowth. Ring any bells with anyone? The baby was the star of the show as you’d expect – climbing over everything and falling off most of it. Mom sat there grooming Dad while he just lay there scratching and farting. We were able to get within about 10 feet of them – far closer than I’d ever thought we would. All in all an absolutely unforgettable experience.
Mark: Gorilla trekking was insane, it was great to go on Safari especially with my dad. I have done something similar before but my dad hadn’t, so to be with him as we both saw the animals was an amazing feeling.
The trek itself was surreal. I’m not sure what I expected but it blew my mind. I don’t think anything would have prepared me for the interaction. The Gorillas almost seem like a mythical creature and you never quite believe you can see them in the wild. So when the guides stopped and told us to slowly go round the corner and sit down quietly we knew we were about to see something breathtaking.
5. Finally, for each of you, what was your favourite memory from the 7-Day Adventure?
Steve: It’s hard to single out one memory from the week but the sight of two medics looking out for me on race day will linger for a long time.
My lasting impression though will be the one of the vibrant energy of a group of young people from many parts of the world united in their desire to help those less fortunate than themselves. Great respect too to the orange shirts as well as the medics. They are a credit to their generation. Baby boomers have had their day!
Mark: Forced to pick one it would be the kids during the race. I have SO many memories from the 2 weeks, the team, the food, the people, the setting, the wildlife. But those moments during the race when children are allowed to join the route and runners and be part of it all is like nothing else. Being walked up that hill by a small child having been absolutely beaten into submission by the course is something that is going with me to the grave.
A big thank you to Mark, the Glass Passport and Global View Photography for sharing these great photos with us!
