When I lived in Uganda in 2004, I was preparing for my first marathon. I used to train out on the footpaths behind Nakasongola Parish, trailed by kids calling out the familiar "mzungu bye" refrain. One day I turned to one of the boys, asking him if he enjoyed running. "You run for exercise," he said. "I run to go home!”
I returned home myself a few weeks later and ultimately completed the 2004 Marine Corps Marathon on behalf of Catholic Charities DC. But in the back of my mind, I felt like I was also running for that young boy and the other schoolkids I had taught in Nakasongola. So I decided two years later to embark on an inaugural “Run for Uganda.” Through 6 races over 9 years, friends and family have helped me to raise over $16,000 to support the St. Francis orphan students in Uganda.
Please consider supporting me in my 7th Run for Uganda in 2016-17…date & location soon to be announced!
Run for Uganda History
- Run for Uganda I, 2006: Baltimore Half-Marathon (Maryland)
- Run for Uganda II, 2007: Army Ten-Miler (Washington, DC)
- Run for Uganda III, 2009: Hogeye Half-Marathon (Fayetteville, Arkansas)
- Run for Uganda IV, 2011: Athens Big Fork 25K Trail Run (Ozark Mountains, Arkansas)
- Run for Uganda V, 2014: Omaha Sprint Triathlon (Nebraska)
- Run for Uganda VI, 2015: Greater Omaha Area Trail Runners 21-mile Trail Run (Omaha, Nebraska)
- Run for Uganda VII, 2016: TBD
Article written by Jay - Share the Blessings Education Chair!