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David GOMBE

Kampala turned crimson on Sunday as Over 8000 runners, households, health lovers, corporates and organised operating golf equipment descended on the town for the 2026 Absa KH3–7 Hills Run, reworking the capital right into a celebration of endurance, group and goal in what grew to become the most important version of the Run but.

From first-time runners chasing private milestones to seasoned athletes battling for prime honors, members tackled the 5km, 10km and signature 25km routes, taking over the demanding climbs and descents of Kampala’s iconic seven hills, a course more and more recognised as one in every of Uganda’s most distinctive city endurance challenges.

Flagged off by Sylvia Mulinge, CEO of MTN Uganda alongside David Wandera, Managing Director of Absa Uganda and Alice Gita Okecho, Hash Grasp of the Kampala Hash Home Harriers, the annual Run continued to cement its place as a number one health and purpose-driven sporting occasion.

Now in its fourth 12 months, the Run has grown from 6,000 members in 2025 to over 8000 this 12 months, attracting the most important variety of sponsors and companions thus far and reinforcing Uganda’s rising enthusiasm for organised operating and wellness.

This 12 months’s version carried on the highly effective mission of serving to extra ladies keep at school and pursue their goals by supporting initiatives that deal with the obstacles that usually drive ladies out of schooling.

For a lot of members, Sunday’s race meant greater than crossing the end line. Each kilometer represented a contribution in the direction of serving to extra ladies keep at school and pursue brighter futures.

“What we witnessed right this moment goes past a run. It’s a highly effective demonstration of what turns into doable when communities, corporates, households and sports activities lovers come collectively behind a shared trigger. We’re deeply grateful to everybody who confirmed up and particularly the operating golf equipment and people who deliberately skilled and ready for this problem. The passion round this 12 months’s Run displays a rising tradition of wellness in Uganda, however extra importantly, a shared dedication to serving to extra ladies keep at school and pursue their goals,” stated David Wandera, Managing Director of Absa Financial institution Uganda.

The 25km Seven Hills Problem signature as soon as once more proved a real take a look at of endurance, with runners navigating steep climbs alongside the scenic but unforgiving terrain of Kampala’s hills on a route that blends breathtaking metropolis views with a demanding operating expertise.

Including to the fun of the problem, runners earned a commemorative wristband for each hill conquered, reworking every ascent right into a milestone second and one of many occasion’s most prized badges of accomplishment, a function many members proudly captured and shared as a part of the Seven Hills expertise.

Peter Akwech crossed the end line in 1:21:40 to emerge prime male finisher, whereas Sylvia Chelangat clocked in at 1:46:55 to safe victory within the ladies’s class.

Setting the Absa KH3–7 Hills Run aside from others, this 12 months’s version as soon as once more supplied winners a uncommon alternative to take their ardour past borders by way of participation within the 2026 Absa Black Star Marathon in Accra.

The highest two male and prime two feminine finishers who efficiently accomplished the Seven Hills Problem earned coveted slots to compete in Ghana, a particular reward that has more and more change into probably the most sought-after prizes amongst Uganda’s operating group.

Helen Basuuta Nangonzi, Advertising Director at Absa Financial institution Uganda, stated the Accra marathon alternative displays the financial institution’s ambition to make the Run extra significant and aspirational for members. “One of many issues that makes the Absa KH3–7 Hills Run distinctive is that we aren’t solely rewarding efficiency with prizes, but in addition with experiences. Working right this moment has developed right into a method to expertise new locations, cultures and communities. By the chance to take part within the Absa Black Star Marathon in Ghana, we’re giving Ugandan runners an opportunity to symbolize Uganda and expertise one other a part of Africa due to their ardour for operating.”

Alongside the Accra marathon alternative, the general winner of the 25km problem earned a UGX 10 million money prize, whereas the highest female and male finishers every walked away with land titles courtesy of Bakayima, making the 2026 version probably the most rewarding but.

“The seven hills course is rarely simple. It pushes you bodily and mentally, however the environment right this moment was unbelievable, and naturally we’re operating to help the nice explanation for protecting ladies in schooling in order that they will obtain their goals” stated Peter Akwech

“Profitable means lots, particularly figuring out we’re operating for one thing greater like serving to ladies keep at school. The chance to additionally compete in Ghana makes it much more particular as a result of it provides me an opportunity to expertise one other nation by way of sport,” stated Sylvia Chelangat.

Past competitors, the Run displays Uganda’s fast-growing operating tradition, attracting everybody from seasoned athletes and organised golf equipment to first-time runners, company groups and households searching for more healthy life.

Alice Gita Okecho of the Kampala Hash Home Harriers stated the occasion had change into an necessary catalyst for organised operating in Uganda. “We have now seen outstanding progress on this occasion over time not solely in participation, however in how critically Ugandans are embracing operating and wellness. Extra golf equipment are coaching persistently, extra households are taking part, and we’re grateful to Absa for investing in a platform that continues to develop Uganda’s operating tradition whereas supporting a significant trigger.”

Kids additionally turned out in rising numbers for devoted child-friendly actions, offering a family-oriented health expertise that promotes wellness and lively dwelling from an early age.

The day culminated in a vibrant celebration that includes performances from Azawi, Winnie Nwagi, King Saha, and Dax Vibez, bringing collectively sport, leisure and philanthropy in a uniquely Ugandan celebration of group influence.

This 12 months’s version was made doable by way of help from a rising ecosystem of over 22 sponsors and companions, making the 2026 version the most important and most rewarding but.