Scott Guillemette's Staging Area

Running the Rift celebrated its 5th year in 2018. The event has close ties to the Kyaninga Child Development Center with race entry proceeds going to the local community. The course starts at the Kyaninga Lodge. The out of and back (half marathon) course will take you to many villages, with views of the local area and of course the amazing Rift Valley. The course is completely on trails and dirt roads. Throughout the course you will finds many challenging hills. I did not find ample water stops and found no electrolyte drinks on the course. With high temps, plan on carrying your own hydration and nutrition. There is a terrific BBQ at the finish followed by a fantastic pig roast celebration dinner later that evening. It is small race with only about 20 international runners (this included the marathon and half marathon). The local children will likely join you with their smiles and run with you as you pass thru their village. This is a destination race. You should expect to add 30-45 minutes to your normal finish time (50 – 70 minutes for the marathon). The heat and hills will affect your time. Be sure to integrate hills into your training. I would suggest staying at the Kyaninga Lodge. They do offer camping, glamping and ensuite cottages. For the convenience and quality experience, the lodge cabins are the best choice. Book early as there is limited space (9 cabins, 3 ensuite cottages, and 4 glamping tents. Only the truly adventurous should consider camping. The evenings did get cold and there is potential for rain. Travelling to Uganda requires a yellow fever vaccination with recommendations for malaria meds. You can secure your Uganda visa online quite easily. Give me a call at 617-242-7845 for additional info.

The Maineiacs Half marathon & 5K are organized to benefit a number of local organizations such as Children’s Miracle Network, Maine Veteran’s Home, and Project Graduation. Held in Bangor, Maine every September, this is the second year for me participating in the half marathon. Starting on the Odlin Road, the first mile winds though the industrial park. The next mile is spent ascending Route 202, with the next mile descending the hill on Route 202. Gradual, but not steep. The next mile is fairly flat until the last ¼ mile where is ascends just a bit, as you turn right off the main road, and into a residential area. A nice neighborhood with winding ups and downs as you run through this neighborhood for the next 2 ½ miles. There is a scenic bridge that you must cross that provides the quintessential New England landscape. Think covered canopy of leaves turning color with a stream running under the bridge. At the 6.6 mile mark you will turn around and return the same way you came.

A small race of less than 100 participants in the half marathon, and another 100 in the 5K. A good tech shirt as a finisher’s shirt and a dog tag style finisher’s medal. There are at least four hotels within walking distance to start/finish line. It is a good race with what can be amazing scenery. It has been unseasonably warmer for longer this year so the leaves have not yet changed. The foliage from 2014 was much brighter than this year. For a more scenic Maine run maybe consider Mt Desert Island or Portland Maine.

i love this event. This was the 6th time running the half marathon. The course starts in the city center, near the duck pond. The 1st 3 miles you will experience the locals as they cheer you on with their support. Adults and young children bang together pots and spoons, play guitar and drums and trumpet . As you leave this area you turn along the coast with amazing scenes of Mt Esja. A quick run through the local dock yards and you come back on to main roads. Soon you will pass the Harpa, Hofdi House, and more along the coast. 3 more miles out and you turn around and head back into town and the finish. This afternoon and tonight you can experience Culture Night. Finally as darkness falls at 11:00pm, grab a good viewing spot for the fireworks. Iceland is closer than you think. Put this race on your list as your next summer race! You won’t regret it. Ideal temps (45-55F) with the cleanest air in the world.