Abel Chebet strengthened his status as one of the most successful runners in the history of the Tusker Lite Rwenzori Marathon after winning the men’s 21.1-kilometre race for the fourth time in five editions.
Chebet completed the 2026 half marathon in about 1:02:00, narrowly defeating fellow Ugandan runner Sam Yeko.
Oscar Kibet finished third, giving Uganda an all-Ugandan podium in the men’s half marathon.
Post-race reports put Chebet’s winning time at approximately 1:02:00, with Yeko at 1:02:02 and Kibet at 1:02:44.
The victory further established Chebet as a dominant figure in the Rwenzori Half Marathon.
His latest success means he has won four of the five editions of the race, a record that places him at the centre of the event’s history.
The half marathon is known as the Kilembe Half Marathon and takes participants towards the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains.
According to the official race organisers, the 21.1-kilometre course has a maximum elevation of 1,200 metres above sea level and an elevation gain of 270 metres.
The route is also internationally certified by World Athletics.
Unlike the full marathon, which begins around the Equator, the half marathon starts in Kasese town before joining the marathon route during its final section.
That allows runners to experience the mountainous part of the event without taking on the full 42.2-kilometre distance.
The organisers have promoted the half marathon as one of the world’s scenic road races.
The route’s combination of urban Kasese, mountain foothills and the Rwenzori backdrop has become one of its biggest attractions.
Chebet’s victory came during a particularly important edition of the race.
The 2026 event was Uganda’s first World Athletics Label Road Race.
The international designation strengthened the credibility of all the major competitive categories and gave the event greater exposure among international runners.
For Chebet, however, the challenge remained the same: cover the 21.1 kilometres faster than his competitors.
He did exactly that.
Sam Yeko pushed him closely, finishing just two seconds behind.
Oscar Kibet was also within striking distance, completing the race in approximately 1:02:44.
The narrow margins demonstrated the competitiveness of Uganda’s distance-running field.
The women’s half marathon was also won by a Ugandan.
Gloria Chebet took the women’s title in approximately 1:12:10, ahead of Prisca Chesang Chemweno and Viola Munerya Chemos.
The results gave Uganda strong representation in both half-marathon categories.
The financial rewards added another incentive.
The 2026 event allocated Shs15 million to each half-marathon winner, while second and third places also received substantial prize money.
The organisers maintained equal prize money for men and women, with payments extending down the field.
The growing profile of the half marathon also contributes to the wider sports tourism ambitions of the event.
Participants who travel to Kasese for the 21.1-kilometre race are exposed to many of the same attractions that draw visitors to the full marathon.
The Rwenzori Mountains provide the visual backdrop, while Queen Elizabeth National Park, the Equator and other western Uganda attractions offer opportunities for extended visits.
For local businesses, that means the economic benefits of the marathon are not restricted to elite competitors.
Recreational runners and their supporters also require accommodation, meals, transport and other services.
The event has therefore created a platform where elite sport and mass participation operate alongside tourism.
Chebet’s fourth half-marathon victory adds another layer to that story.
His repeated success gives the race a recognisable sporting personality while demonstrating the depth of Uganda’s distance-running talent.
As the Rwenzori Marathon looks towards future editions, Chebet’s record will provide a benchmark for the next generation of competitors.
For now, the Kasese roads remain his territory.
Four victories in five editions make Abel Chebet one of the defining champions of the Rwenzori Marathon — and his latest 21.1-kilometre triumph ensures that his name will remain closely associated with the event.
