A celebration of Ugandan heritage, endurance running, and cross-cultural connection took centre stage in Boston on Saturday, as over 200 guests gathered at Heartbreak Hill Running Company to honour World Champion Victor Kiplangat ahead of his Boston Marathon debut.
The event — Uganda to Boston: Win a Trip to the Pearl of Africa for the Rwenzori Marathon — brought together runners, community leaders, Ugandan embassy officials, and local residents for an afternoon that blended tradition with athletic pride.
Kiplangat, who won gold at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, will line up for his first Boston Marathon on Monday. Two days before taking on one of road running’s most prestigious events, the 24-year-old shared reflections on his journey during a fireside chat alongside U.S.-based coach Patrick Cheptoek.
“Back in 2023, when I crossed the finish line in Budapest, my heart was aching,” Kiplangat said. “It felt like a dream — I wasn’t known then. But in that moment, I made Uganda proud.”
Cheptoek, who moved from Kapchorwa to the United States in 2008 as a student-athlete, now coaches young runners in Kentucky. “You don’t have to win to be great,” he said. “You just have to love the sport, do your best, and stay devoted.”
The South End storefront was transformed into a cultural space featuring traditional dance by the Pearl Dancers and East African cuisine from Sentie’s Kitchen. Organisers said the aim was to foster connection between Uganda’s high-altitude running legacy and Boston’s distance-running culture.
Two guests won all-expenses-paid trips to Uganda, including race entry into the 2025 Rwenzori Marathon and a visit to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The raffle was part of a broader partnership between Running Launch Ventures, the Ugandan Embassy in Washington, the Uganda Boston Community Association (UBCA), Heartbreak Hill Running Co., and the Rwenzori Marathon team.
“It was about more than sport,” said lead organiser Ryan Lee. “It was about celebrating legacy, sharing stories across continents, and reminding Boston that greatness can come from the most unexpected mountain villages.”
The event formed part of Heartbreak Hill’s Most Devoted series — a Nike-supported initiative highlighting perseverance and purpose in running. Media advocate Ronnie Mayanja and UBCA organiser Afande Momo were among those helping drive the message.
Kiplangat will take on the famed Boston course on Monday, with a cheer zone planned near Heartbreak Hill in Newton, where the Ugandan flag will be flying proudly.
