The 5th MTN Kampala marathon slated for November 23 is anticipated to draw over 9,000 athletes both local and international.

However, ahead of the registration deadline (today), it is still unclear whether Rwandan athletes will take part in the show piece.

The Secretary General of the National Athletics Federation Appollinaire Munyangoga yesterday told Times Sport that the federation had written to different local clubs asking them to prepare their athletes for this race.

"We informed the clubs about the marathon and asked them to make the necessary arrangements to send their athletes over,” he said before adding, "But I’m not sure who will go and who will not”. Last year, local athletes where overshadowed by their Ugandan and Kenyan counterparts.

Ugandan athletes racing in their backyard clearly dominated the race while the region’s powerhouse followed closely in second place. So, Uganda’s Olympian Moses Kipsiro who is one of 400 elite athletes is hoping to keep the tempo this year.

Kipsiro, the 10km defending champion will however have to beat off stiff challenges from the likes of Abraham Kiplimo and Isaac Ayeko if he is to retain his title. 

This year’s event will have different competitive races ranging from the full marathon (42km), half marathon (21km), corporate challenge (21km), Open Challenge (10km), Corporate Challenge (10km), Wheelchair race (10km) and the Masters race (10km) for people aged 50 and over.

The winner of the 42km race will pocket Shs 5m while the half marathon (21km) and 10km Masters race winners will walk away with Shs 3m and Shs0.5m respectively.

Ends