EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: The mission of The Legends Marathon is to empower athletes beyond competitions, nurture talent and foster community growth – Andrew Mwanguhya

In their prime, sportsmen and sportswomen entertain us with their athleticism, yet when they retire, many struggle to cope with life out of the limelight. In this interview, Andrew Mwanguhya, a senior sports journalist at Nation Media’s Daily Monitor and NTV Uganda and the brains behind this inspiring event, explains how The Legends Marathon, which is happening on Sunday, April 13, 2025 at Legends Rugby Grounds, is responding to this plight.

We saw the birth of The Legends Marathon last year and its successful execution, but what is the marathon all about now that you have launched the second edition?

The Legends Marathon is more than just a race – it’s a movement. It was born out of the need to support athletes beyond their competitive years, ensuring they have meaningful and sustainable transitions into life after sport. Our mission is to transform lives through sport by empowering athletes beyond competition, nurturing emerging talent, and fostering community growth.

With the second edition now launched, we are building on last year’s momentum, creating a platform that celebrates athletic excellence while actively addressing the challenges that come with retirement from sport.

Why the marathon and not any other sporting activity since you are looking at helping athletes from different sports disciplines?

Running is the most accessible sport. Unlike other disciplines that require specific infrastructure or expensive equipment, running only requires a pair of shoes and determination. A marathon attracts people from all walks of life – elite athletes, retired legends, recreational runners, and community members – making it an ideal platform to champion our cause.

More importantly, long-distance running is symbolic of life’s journey. It mirrors the struggles athletes face in retirement: endurance, adaptation, and perseverance. Through this event, we not only raise awareness but also create opportunities that extend far beyond the finish line.

What inspired the idea of supporting players’ transition into life in retirement – what exact issues do athletes face when they retire from active sports life?

I have covered sports for 16 years, and I’ve seen firsthand how athletes struggle when the spotlight fades. Many give their all to their careers but are left vulnerable once their competitive days are over. The challenges include financial instability, identity crises, lack of alternative career paths, and mental health struggles.

A conversation with some retired legends like Moses Kipsiro and Boniface Kiprop reinforced the reality – athletes need structured support to navigate life after sport. The Legends Marathon is our way of addressing this gap and ensuring no athlete feels abandoned.

It is not that the marathon puts money (event proceeds) into the pockets of the retiring and retired athletes; what exactly does the marathon do for the athletes?

Money alone doesn’t guarantee a smooth transition. What we provide is long-term value – structured career guidance, skill development, and community support.

Through The Legends Marathon and our new flagship programme, the Athlete Career+, we have managed to secure partnerships with companies in modern farming, mental health, and entrepreneurship. Below are some of the pilot programmes under the Athlete Career+ in just our second year:

• Mentorship and career training through Stanbic Business Incubator, which is developing an athlete-centric entrepreneurship training programme.
• Mental health support in partnership with Safe Places, ensuring athletes receive the psychological support they need during and after their careers.
• Hands-on training in areas like specialised farming (in partnership with Kaynela Farms) to give athletes practical and sustainable career paths.

Our focus is to equip athletes with the skills and knowledge they need to build sustainable careers beyond sport.

What can you say were the targeted achievements registered from the inaugural marathon last year, and what sort of impact have these achievements had on athletes?

The first edition was a success on multiple fronts. We had about 500 participants, including celebrated retired athletes Moses Kipsiro, Alex Mubiru, Victor Wadia, Davis Karashani, Mujib Kasule and Naomi Kayondo among others, at the race. We proved that The Legends Marathon is not just a vision but a reality that can impact lives.

Some key achievements included:

Awareness & Advocacy: We put athlete transition challenges on the national conversation map.

Engagement: Retired and active athletes participated, giving them a platform to connect, share experiences, and find solutions.

Athlete Alumni Network: We hosted our first workshop in December 2024, where we formed an athlete alumni network where athletes from all sports disciplines can connect and share life experiences.

Athlete Career+ Programme: We laid the groundwork for structured support for athletes, which we are now expanding.

Several athletes have since reached out, showing interest in career transition support, and we are actively engaging them.

What new ingredients have you added in this year’s “Run for Your Legend” edition that stand out and make this year’s edition a better one?

Building on last year, we’ve enhanced the marathon experience in several ways:

Structured Athlete Career+ Programme and stronger partnerships: Athletes – after a needs assessment – will now have direct access to Stanbic Business Incubator’s entrepreneurship training and Safe Places’ mental health resources. They will also have an opportunity at practical modern farming with Kaynela Farms, a game-changer for athletes looking for sustainable careers.

Bigger and better race categories: From elite runners to fun runners, we’ve made sure everyone has a place. We have added the 10km category to the existing 42km, 21km, and 5km. Our medal quality has also gone a notch higher. We shall also time this year’s races.

Please tell us about the Athlete Career+ program—what is it, how will it work, and how will it benefit athletes?

Athlete Career+ is a transition initiative designed to support athletes in their post-sport careers. The programme offers:

Career Guidance & Training – Business, entrepreneurship, and professional skills through Stanbic Business Incubator.

Mental Health Support – Access to Safe Places’ resources for athletes struggling with retirement adjustment.

Modern Farming Training – A practical and sustainable career path through Kaynela Farms.

Employment & Business Support – Connecting athletes to opportunities.

It is open to both active and retired athletes, with the aim of giving them options beyond competition.

We have seen enthusiasm from some athletes who, by the look of things, are doing well. At what point in an athlete’s life does your programme come in to help?

Athlete Career+ is not just for struggling athletes – it’s for all athletes. The best time to prepare for life after sport is before retirement, not after.

We encourage active athletes to start planning early while also providing a safety net for those who may have already retired without a solid plan.

And what mechanism is in place to identify the athletes to work with, especially those who are struggling and withholding from public life?

We work through multiple channels:

Direct Engagement: We reach out to retired athletes, many of whom have already expressed interest.

Athlete Networks: Through active and retired sports personalities, we identify those in need.

Partnerships: Collaborations with federations, sports organizations, and athlete welfare groups help us connect with athletes in need.

We also encourage struggling athletes to reach out – this is a safe space for them to rebuild.

What have you set out to achieve during and after the second edition of the marathon?

This year’s marathon is about growth and impact. Our key goals include:

Stronger athlete participation – Engage more retired and active athletes.

Expand Athlete Career+ – More mentorship, training, and mental health support.

Increase public awareness – Make post-sport transition a mainstream conversation.

Beyond race day, we want to establish a fully functional support system that continues long after the marathon is done.

What is the future like for The Legends Marathon?

The vision is clear – The Legends Marathon should be more than an event; it should be a movement. In the future, we want to:

Expand our reach – Engage athletes from across Africa, making it a continental platform.

Institutionalise Athlete Career+ – Establish a formal transition academy.

Strengthen partnerships – Work with more stakeholders in addition to Stanbic Business Incubator, Safe Places, and Kaynela Farms to create sustainable solutions.

Our ultimate goal is to ensure that no athlete faces post-career struggles alone. The Legends Marathon is here to make that a reality.