Kenya’s Margaret Jepchumba claimed the women’s marathon title at the fifth Tusker Lite Rwenzori Marathon, crossing the finish line in 2:39:15 to take the top prize in the 42.2-kilometre race.
Jepchumba’s victory added an international dimension to an event that produced a strong Ugandan presence across the elite field.
World Athletics officially recorded Jepchumba first in 2:39:15, followed by Uganda’s Vanice Chemutai in 2:43:32 and Joan Chebet in 2:44:08.
The result meant Uganda claimed two places on the women’s podium despite missing out on the overall title.
Jepchumba’s winning performance was delivered on a challenging course that takes competitors from the Equator through the Kasese area and towards the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains.
The route has a maximum elevation of 1,200 metres above sea level and approximately 410 metres of total elevation gain.
The Kilembe section presents one of the most demanding parts of the course, requiring competitors to manage the climb before returning towards the Kasese finish.
Winning such a course requires more than speed.
Athletes must manage their pace and energy throughout the race, particularly because the mountainous section comes after a significant portion of the marathon has already been completed.
Jepchumba’s ability to complete the course in 2:39:15 placed her more than four minutes ahead of Chemutai.
The result also gave Kenya a major victory on a day when Uganda dominated the men’s podium.
The women’s competition was closely followed because of the growing rivalry between East African distance runners.
Kenya has traditionally been one of the world’s leading marathon nations, while Uganda has increasingly established itself as a force in international distance running.
The Rwenzori Marathon provides an opportunity for athletes from both countries to compete in a unique Ugandan setting.
Jepchumba’s victory came during a historic edition of the race.
The 2026 marathon was the first in Uganda to receive World Athletics Label Road Race status.
That designation meant the event was formally placed on the international road-running calendar and operated under recognised standards for course measurement, timing and race operations.
For Jepchumba, that meant her victory came at an important moment in the development of the event.
The financial reward was also significant.
The women’s full marathon champion received Shs40 million under the 2026 prize structure.
The prize purse for the entire event reached Shs252 million, more than double the previous year’s total.
The organisers also maintained equal prize money for men and women, reinforcing the event’s commitment to parity in the elite categories.
Jepchumba’s victory was also significant for the wider sports tourism story.
The Rwenzori Marathon has deliberately built its identity around the relationship between running and Uganda’s natural attractions.
The route gives international athletes a chance to experience the Equator, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kasese and the Rwenzori Mountains within a single race.
The Ministry of Tourism has described the event as an important platform for showcasing Uganda to international visitors.
For athletes arriving from outside Uganda, the marathon can therefore become the centrepiece of a wider trip.
Visitors can explore the national park, the Kazinga Channel, the Equator and the Rwenzori region before or after race day.
This is one of the reasons government and organisers increasingly view the marathon as a sports tourism product rather than simply an athletics competition.
Jepchumba’s victory consequently delivered value at several levels.
She took home the women’s title and the biggest prize.
Kenya secured international bragging rights in the women’s race.
Ugandan runners occupied second and third places.
And the event itself gained another high-profile international champion.
The 2026 edition ultimately demonstrated that the Rwenzori Marathon can attract competitive elite athletes while retaining its identity as a destination race.
With the Rwenzori Mountains providing the backdrop and Kasese providing the stage, Jepchumba’s 2:39:15 victory has become one of the defining performances of the fifth edition.
