Telecommunications company MTN has decided to sink 500 million Ugandan shillings (300,000 U.S. dollars) into this year's Kampala International marathon due December 9.
The amount for the fourth edition of the event organized by Ugandan Athletics Federation (UAF) is 100 million shillings (60,000 dollars) more than what was offered last year.
But the company's senior consumer marketing manager Philip Besiimire revealed that with the introduction of the half-marathon, the actual cost could exceed the stated amount.
Besiimire said that the half-marathon (21km) will add to the already existing 10km and marathon races. The 10km race and half-marathon will have corporate and open categories.
"The marathon is becoming more challenging and we are also aiming at make it more entertaining," Besiimire was quoted by New Vision on Wednesday as saying.
"The half-marathon will give more competition to people who have gotten used to the 10km race. This year's event will be organized to the highest international standards ever," added the manager.
The venue for the marathon start and end has also changed from the traditional Parliament Avenue in the heart of Kampala to Lugogo Bypass near Shoprite shopping center.
Participants from Eritrea, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Sudan, Djibouti, Rwanda and Burundi are expected to take part in Uganda's biggest event on the Road Running calendar.
"We are confident the marathon will attract over 6,000 runners. The point at Parliament Avenue is not enough to handle this and that is why we opted for Lugogo" explained Besiimire.
Besiimire reaffirmed that the proceeds from the event will go towards Red Cross' Mama Bag and Return kit project, while most of the 500 million shillings will cater for the over 1,000 volunteers, prize money and logistics.
Red Cross' acting head of corporate fundraising Geoffrey Sserunjogi said the proceeds will benefit expectant mothers in the internally displaced camps.
The kit project distributes seeds and farm tools to the people leaving the camps, to help them start a new life after spending over 20 years in poor conditions in the war ravaged northern Uganda.
Source: Xinhua
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