In Kampala, there are three major running events that attract big crowds from all parts of Uganda and even from neighbouring countries such as Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania. These events are the MTN marathon, Rotary runs and the Kabaka’s birthday run.
They are well-intended initiatives given their purposes.
However, I have a million-dollar question for the organisers ; Are you well -prepared to host these events without forgetting to ensure the safety of participants?
I am a member of Kampala Hash and I happen to have attended most runs organised within East Africa and these include Standard Charted Marathon in Nairobi, MTN runs in Uganda and Rwanda and many others.
But the way these runs are organised in Uganda leaves so many questions unanswered, especially the Kabaka’s birthday run. I have followed these events critically starting with Kabaka’s birthday run of 2014. Well, one would say that for the 2014 run the organisers didn’t have enough experience and they needed more time to perfect organisation of this event.
During some of these runs, along the trail, we encounter different challenges, for instance, cars hooting at us to make way fo them, cyclists riding amid the runners and runners using pavements, etc. These are all signs of poor organisation.
At one of the runs, as I was approaching Kibuye Round-about, a speeding cyclist hit me and I fell dislocating my right arm at the shoulder point. At that point, there was no traffic officer or guide and I was totally helpless.
Sponsors and organisers must take the necessary measures to ensure the safety of the runners.
Modest Rutagengwa,
modestrura@yahoo.com
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