Nestled in the lush western region of Uganda, Fort Portal has long been celebrated as the country’s tourism capital.
With the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains on the horizon, crater lakes scattered across the landscape, tea plantations rolling into the distance and the rich heritage of the Tooro Kingdom, the city offers an almost cinematic backdrop for any visitor.
On 18th July 2026, that backdrop becomes the stage for the second edition of the Fort Portal City Marathon, an event that perfectly blends sport, culture and responsible travel under the theme “A Run in Paradise.”
Building on a Successful Debut
The inaugural Fort Portal City Marathon in 2025 attracted more than 1,000 registered runners, dozens of exhibitors and a wave of positive energy that left both participants and locals eager for more.
Organisers are now aiming higher. The 2026 edition is expected to welcome over 2,500 runners across four distances, the full marathon (42 km), half marathon (21 km), 10 km and 5 km, while nearly 5,000 people are anticipated to take part in the wider three-day programme of activities.
Race day itself will centre on Boma Grounds, the traditional heart of Fort Portal. The weekend begins earlier with a Marathon Business Expo on 16th-17th July, giving local and national businesses, tourism stakeholders and community groups a platform to showcase their work.
The overall experience is designed not only as a sporting challenge but as a celebration of place, people and sustainable growth.
A Marathon That Listens: The DataCities Partnership
One of the most forward-looking announcements for 2026 is the partnership with DataCities. Serving as the official Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning Partner, DataCities will be on the ground throughout race weekend gathering participant feedback, monitoring the overall event experience and turning those real voices into concrete improvements for future editions.
Organisers have been clear: data collected from the first edition already shaped decisions, and this year’s collaboration aims to make the process sharper and more systematic.
In an era when many large events prioritise scale over quality, Fort Portal City Marathon is deliberately building something that listens, to runners, volunteers, local businesses and the surrounding communities.
For travellers who care about the long-term impact of the events they support, this commitment to continuous improvement is a welcome signal.
Running Through Paradise: The Course and Scenery
What truly sets this marathon apart is the course itself. Starting and finishing at Boma Grounds, runners will pass through the scenic Njara Hills, cross the Mpanga River and tackle the challenging climb of Bukwali Hill.
Along the way they will encounter cultural and historical landmarks that tell the story of Fort Portal and the Tooro Kingdom: St Leo’s College Kyegobe, Nyakasura School, St John’s Cathedral, Virika Cathedral, local mosques and the Karuzika Palace.
The surrounding landscape offers even more for those who linger after the race. Crater lakes such as Kigere, Nyabikere and Saaka, the famous Amabeere ga Nyina Mwiru caves, vast tea estates, Tooro Botanical Gardens and the nearby Kibale and Semuliki National Parks all lie within easy reach.
Whether you are a serious runner chasing a personal best or a recreational participant simply wanting to experience the city on foot, the route delivers an immersive introduction to one of Uganda’s most beautiful regions.
Practical Information for Runners and Visitors
Registration is straightforward and currently open. Runners can sign up online at fortcitymarathon.com/registration or by dialling the local short code *272*7#.
The registration fee includes an official marathon shirt, race hydration and a finisher’s medal, practical incentives that make participation accessible while supporting the event’s community goals.
Visitors travelling from outside Fort Portal should plan ahead for accommodation, as demand rises significantly around race weekend.
The three-day programme offers more than just the race: the expo, community activities and the general festive atmosphere create opportunities to engage with local culture beyond the finish line.
Early arrival also allows time to explore the city’s markets, sample Tooro cuisine and adjust to the mild highland climate.
Why This Event Matters for Responsible Travel
Large sporting events can place pressure on local infrastructure and resources. The organisers of the Fort Portal City Marathon appear conscious of this reality.
By partnering with DataCities to systematically collect and act on feedback, by involving local businesses through the expo, and by framing the event around the natural and cultural assets of the destination, the marathon aligns well with principles of responsible tourism.
Participants who choose to travel thoughtfully, supporting locally owned lodges, using community guides, minimising single-use plastics and respecting cultural sites can amplify the positive impact.
The event becomes more than a personal achievement; it becomes a contribution to a growing tourism economy that values both people and place.
Plan Your Responsible Journey with Responsible Tourism Company Ltd
If you are considering the Fort Portal City Marathon 2026 as the centrepiece of a Uganda trip, Responsible Tourism Company Ltd can help you design an experience that matches the spirit of the event.
Specialising in sustainable travel across Uganda, the company offers custom packages that combine race-weekend logistics with low-impact exploration of Fort Portal and the wider Tooro region.
Their offerings typically include carefully selected eco-conscious accommodation, guided cultural visits that benefit local communities, responsible transport options, and itineraries that balance the excitement of race day with quieter moments in nature, crater-lake walks, tea-plantation visits or forest excursions near Kibale.
By travelling with Responsible Tourism Company Ltd you support operators committed to fair wages, environmental care and authentic encounters rather than high-volume, low-value tourism.
Whether you need race-day transfers, a multi-day itinerary that includes the marathon, or advice on extending your stay into the Rwenzoris or Queen Elizabeth National Park, their team can tailor a journey that leaves a positive footprint.
Ready to run through paradise?
Register for the Fort Portal City Marathon 2026 today, then reach out to Responsible Tourism Company Ltd to craft a responsible travel experience around it.
Lace up, explore thoughtfully, and become part of a growing story in which sport, community and sustainable tourism move forward together.
Fort Portal is waiting. The hills, the rivers and the warm welcome of Tooro are ready. Will you answer the call?
Call/WhatsApp: +256 704 023 485