Equity Bank Boosts 2nd Gulu City Marathon as organizers & partners confirm readiness

All is set for the second edition of the Gulu City Marathon slated for this Saturday, 6 December 2025, at Kaunda Grounds.

On Wednesday, 3 December 2025, the marathon organizers together with its partners/sponsors, including Equity Bank, briefed the media at Kampala Club ahead of race day, with all the parties affirming their readiness for the event.

During the press conference , Robert Wanok the Head Of Retail at Equity Bank Uganda said; “Equity has been part of the Gulu story in many ways. Last year, in line with the objectives shared earlier, we awarded full university scholarships to the best-performing boy and girl. They are now pursuing higher education, and we are proud of their progress.”

He said the event is a perfect way for us to stand with communities, transform lives and livelihoods, promote health and community engagement, and celebrate the people of Northern Uganda. Equity Bank will also be actively participating in the marathon, and we invite everyone to join us in celebrating community unity, health and wellbeing, local pride, cultural heritage, and social impact.

Wanok added that; “The story of Gulu is a story of resilience, of heritage, and of Africa. We believe that when each partner picks up one piece of the work, we collectively build the bigger picture because it truly takes a community to raise a generation and to shape a future.”

Francis Gimara, Chairperson of the Gulu City Marathon Steering Committee, stated that the marathon has registered a record attendance with entries surpassing expectations.

“Initially we expected about 1,000 runners this year, but we registered 1,500. We actually sold out with a couple of days to the event, which is a testimony of the evolving running culture, a good sign that people care about their health, one of the aims the marathon wants to achieve,” Gimara said.

Gimara added that other aspects like security, course readiness, and the like have been taken care of and they’re good to go.

“The course was assessed this year by Gavin Wright, one of the very few World Athletics accredited route measurers in Africa. He’s the very person who assessed the Tusker Lite Mt Rwenzori Marathon route in Kasese before it was accredited by World Athletics,” Gimara stated, adding that the race will have a global timing system this year with the timers already in town.

Other sponsors will equally add immense value to the marathon’s success.

The marathon has continued with its CSR trajectory. 10 % of the event proceeds will go towards the Martin Aliker Youth Skilling Centre in Abole, Omoro District.

Themed “Running for Culture and Heritage,” the Gulu City Marathon will feature the 42 km full marathon, 21 km half marathon, 10 km, and 5 km fun and family runs. All runners who complete their races will receive finisher medals as a celebration of their achievement.

Marathon kits can be collected at different points. In Kampala: the marathon office in Arie Towers (5th floor), Fast and Furious at Kampala Club, Omera Restaurant (Bukoto and Forest Mall Lugogo branches), and Zest Sports at Oasis Mall.

In Gulu; tickets are at the CFAO Mobility Offices along Kitgum Road, Gulu City Inn, and the Uganda Baati Gulu Office.

The other sponsors of the Gulu City Marathon include; Uganda Airlines, National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC), CFAO Mobility, Suzuki, Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), Krystal Water, National Information Technology Authority (NITA), Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), and Swangz Avenue.