The 2026 Virunga Gorilla Marathon has been suspended following an outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The marathon, which had initially been scheduled for May 31, 2026, in Kisoro, aims to promote sports tourism, environmental conservation, and community development in the Virunga region. The region, located within the Albertine Rift in East Africa, spans the borders of the DRC, Rwanda, and Uganda and is globally renowned for its mountain gorilla population. It comprises three major national parks and eight volcanic mountains.
The event was expected to attract elite marathon runners, casual athletes, eco-tourists, and conservation supporters from across East Africa and beyond. However, in a statement released on Friday, the organisers announced the suspension of the marathon due to the Ebola outbreak in the DRC.
The management says the decision was reached after consultations with relevant health and security authorities. According to the organisers, the health, safety, and well-being of runners, partners, volunteers, and surrounding communities remain their highest priority.
The organisers also say a new date for the marathon will be communicated in due course. They also confirmed that registration and kit collection activities will continue as planned. They urged the public to remain vigilant, follow all public health guidelines issued by the Government of Uganda, and prioritise personal and community safety.
According to health authorities, two suspected Ebola patients are currently under isolation at Kisoro Hospital in Kisoro District. Samples collected from the patients have reportedly been sent to the Uganda Virus Research Institute in Entebbe for analysis.
Kisoro District borders the DRC, where Ebola cases have already been confirmed. However, Ugandan health authorities on Thursday announced that there are currently no confirmed Ebola cases in Uganda, although officials are actively monitoring two imported infections linked to the DRC.
Authorities also said that all identified contacts connected to the suspected cases have been traced and placed under observation. Common symptoms of Ebola include sudden fever, severe headache, muscle pain, extreme fatigue, vomiting, diarrhoea, body weakness, and unexplained bleeding-
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