Coffee Marathon this weekend lines up big prizes for winners

This weekend, the buzz in South Western Uganda is expected to be in the town of Rwashamaire, Ntungamo district, when the much-drummed-up Coffee marathon will take place.

Organized by Inspire Africa Group, Uganda’s private sector champion of coffee value addition, in partnership with the government of Uganda, the marathon is expected to attract a host of runners from different walks of life.

Dorcus Inzikuru, Uganda’s 3000 metres steeplechase 2005 world champion in Helsinki, will lead the women’s cast, while Stephen Kiprotich, the 2012 marathon Olympic champion, will be one of the star attractions in the men’s category.

This highlights the star dust that is on this inaugural coffee marathon. But if that alone is not enough to move you, then how about the fact that a whopping $30,000 (Shs 116 million) has been set aside to be won.

Duncan Abigaba, the corporate affairs manager of Inspire Africa Group, said all has been organized to ensure that the Coffee marathon is a success.

“First, the cash prizes that are set aside will be shared by 40 participants. For every race, the first 10 winners will walk away with a cash prize. Our goal is to reward effort and success.”

According to Abigaba, the preparations in place have arranged that there will be prizes for each of the races: five kilometres, 10 kilometres, 21 kilometres and 42 kilometres.

While this event is about promoting Uganda’s potential in coffee production, which will see the first Africa Coffee Industrial Hub, equipped with cutting-edge Freeze Dry technology, the same used by global giants like Nestlé, to produce instant coffee, coffee-based energy drinks, and beauty cosmetics, questions have been asked why it has adopted a sporting aspect to promote the campaign.

In response, Abigaba said sports unites people of all shades. But at the same time, through some of the star athletes that Uganda has produced over the years, their association with the coffee brands will go a long way in promoting them to the world, too, hence giving it value and competitive pricing.