Carrefour champions healthy living at Matooke C2C Marathon

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Carrefour Uganda has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting healthy lifestyles after supporting runners at the Matooke C2C Marathon with drinking water, fresh fruits, glucose and Deep Heat muscle relief.

The marathon, held under the theme “Run for Your Life,” attracted hundreds of participants along the Kampala-to-Entebbe route, bringing together running enthusiasts and members of the public to promote physical fitness and wellbeing.

Carrefour established refreshment points along the route to provide runners with essential supplies as they tackled different race distances, including the 21km half-marathon and the full 42km marathon.

The support was particularly relevant for participants undertaking long-distance races, which require physical endurance, mental resilience and adequate preparation.

Among the runners was Mulungi Deo, who participated in the 21km race as part of his commitment to personal fitness and better health.

“Taking on 21km was about pushing my limits and reminding myself of the importance of staying active and taking care of my health. Every kilometre came with its own challenge, but crossing that distance is a reminder of what we can achieve when we keep going,” Deo said.

Running is widely recognised as a way to improve cardiovascular fitness, strengthen muscles and bones, manage stress and support better sleep. It also provides an opportunity for individuals to challenge themselves, build discipline and achieve personal goals.

However, maintaining endurance during prolonged exercise requires proper hydration and energy replenishment. Sweating causes the body to lose fluids, making access to drinking water particularly important during races held in warm conditions.

Carrefour's refreshment points offered runners water and fresh fruits, while glucose provided an additional source of readily available energy. Deep Heat muscle relief was also made available to participants.

Deo welcomed the support, saying it helped improve the experience for runners along the route.

“Having access to drinking water, fresh fruits and other support along the route was encouraging. It was good to see Carrefour looking out for runners and making the experience a little easier for us,” he said.

The marathon’s impact extended beyond the competitors, with spectators and supporters joining the event to encourage participants and celebrate their achievements. Their involvement highlighted the role of community sporting activities in inspiring people to embrace exercise and healthier habits.

For Carrefour Uganda, supporting the marathon provided an opportunity to contribute to participants’ wellbeing while advancing its Carrefour Cares for All commitment.

The retailer’s involvement also reinforced the message that healthy living does not have to begin with competitive running. Walking regularly, taking short runs and gradually increasing physical activity can help individuals develop sustainable fitness routines.

As runners celebrated their achievements, the event underscored the importance of consistency in pursuing better health, whether through a short run, a half-marathon or the demanding 42km journey from Kampala to Entebbe.