Done the Great Gorilla Run? Looking for a race with a difference?

The Gorilla Marathon and Half-Marathon takes place in Uganda, home to some of the last Mountain gorillas left on earth and by running you’ll be helping to raise awareness of the plight of the gorilla population as well as raising funds for their conservation.

The race itinerary is based around the Source of the Nile, a spectacular region near the town of Jinja where Lake Victoria becomes the Nile River. The surrounding area is a mixture of forest and small farms and villages linked by red clay trails which will form the route of the marathon and half marathon.

After the race the tour options allow for a grand tour to see the rich variety of Uganda, including visiting a gorilla family in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, tree climing lions and probably the largest collection of hippo’s in the world in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

The Race

We start right at the waters edge where Lake Victoria becomes the Nile - the river is already wider than the Thames in London at this point and descends in a series of rapids and small waterfalls through a rolling green tropical landscape.

After a short distance on a mixture of roads and trails as the route leaves Jinja we cross the Nile on a sturdy foot bridge and return a little further along over the hydro electric dam. From here we then go onto soft red clay trails through farms and fields until you reach the Nile Porch Resort where the 21.1km finishes.

The marathon then continues on trails past a number of schools which are being supported and refurbished by the charity Soft Power - who we are engaging to help with the event and raise funds for the project. You will be heading back towards Jinja where the route will rejoin that taken out of town at the 8km point and then continue on the 21km route back to Nile Porch.

The course is undulating in nature with no steep hills to climb. The start at the Source of the Nile is at 1,170mts above sea level, the high point of the race is 1,220mt and the low point 1,140mts.

There will also be a community 5km in support of Soft Power Education starting and finishing at the Nile Porch Resort for local children, Ugandan adults and supporters of those running the half or full marathons.

The routes are safe and the most dangerous possiblity is tripping over the lead teathering a goat to the verge - there are no crocs or hippo on this stretch of the Nile as the water is too fast.

Nile Porch is an adventure centre with a spectacular location overlooking the Nile rapids - there will be water and a BBQ buffet available for finishing runners to refuel and cold beer for those looking to celebrate their achievement.

Read the full itinerary and sign up at 209 Events