The MTN Kampala Marathon is set to return to the scene on November 20 after a two-year break following the outbreak of the global coronavirus pandemic.
The marathon organised under the theme ‘Running for Babies’, will have the same cause of supporting and improving maternal health.
According to Sylvia Mulinge, the MTN Uganda Chief Executive Officer, proceedings from this year’s marathon like before shall be used to upgrade maternal and newborn services in four selected health facilities across the country.
The health facilities include Kisenyi and Kawaala health facilities in the suburbs of Kampala plus those in Kachumbala (Teso sub-region) and Kabong (Karamoja sub-region).
“As a continuation to the tremendous impact that the Marathon has achieved over the past years, this year’s marathon proceeds shall similarly be dedicated to further improving the selected maternal and neonatal health facilities, by refurbishing and equipping them to save the lives of mothers and babies,” Mulinge told journalists at the launch.
Mulinge said Uganda like it is the case in many other sub-Saharan countries continues to register thousands of maternal and infant deaths with a 42% mortality rate according to the Uganda Health and Demographic Survey of 2016.
As a result, she said MTN has over the years seen it effective to cooperate with other companies in a bid to help out government in extending service delivery.
“It is therefore through such initiatives that the public and corporate companies can join hands with the government to ensure better health service delivery that is critical in the elimination of these preventable deaths among mothers and babies,” she added.
The marathon will start at the Kololo independence grounds with runners participating in any of the four categories including; the full marathon (42Km), half marathon (21Km), 10Km race and 5Km fun run.
The wheelchair race (10Km) shall be held on Sunday 13th November 2022.
Meanwhile, every year at least 3,600 babies die in Kampala, within the first 28 days of birth. That is 70 deaths every week and 10 every day due to avoidable and preventable circumstances like absence of sufficient inputs in health centers and poor antennal management of mothers according to KCCA statistics.
Mulinge notes it is under this perspective that MTN with support from its partners Huawei, Stanbic bank, New Vision, Rwenzori, NBS TV and KCCA have kept their stand in organising the charity-inspired marathon, giving participants a good reason to run, not only for their own health and fitness but to also contribute to projects that have inspired communities over the years.
Kits and prices
This year like before, the kit items include a running belt, T-shirt, sun visor, and bottle timing chip.
On payments, participants in the category 21km and 42km will pay sh40,000 cash, and sh20,000 using mobile money. For 5km and 10km participants will pay sh40,000 cash and sh30,000 if using mobile money.
Your point of view caught my eye and was very interesting. Thanks. I have a question for you.