Miria Nantume Aims for Gold at Nairobi's Jubilee Live Free Race

Ugandan cyclist Miria Nantume is setting her sights on a podium finish at the Jubilee Live Free Race in Nairobi this Sunday. Nantume, a member of the Masaka Cycling Club, expressed her determination to secure a medal for Uganda during the flag-off ceremony on Friday. “I want to show the Kenyans that Uganda has the potential and support like transportation and accommodation, we have nothing to worry about. So, we are here to win,” she stated.

This ambition comes on the heels of an intensive five-month UCI training camp in Brittany, France. During her time in France, Nantume not only honed her skills in areas like cornering and time management but also achieved success by winning several races. She hopes to carry this winning form into the competition in Nairobi, where she will compete in the Under-23 category of the Main Race.

Nantume made history in 2024 as the first Ugandan female cyclist to earn an international medal, securing a silver at the African Continental Championships in Eldoret, Kenya, at the age of 18. This achievement followed a high-performance training camp in South Africa.

Fellow Ugandan cyclist Jordan Schleck Ssekanwagi, who is based in Nairobi, has been instrumental in helping the Ugandan contingent prepare by familiarizing himself with the race route, which has seen some alterations. Ssekanwagi is a past winner of the Jubilee Live Free Race, having claimed victory in the main 75km race in 2019 and again last year.

Organizers highlighted the importance of the event for promoting wellness and physical activity, with Jubilee confirming continued support for the race. The event features several categories, including the Main Race (77.8km), Black Mamba (45km), Para Cycling (39km), Family Fun Ride (20km), and Kiddie Race (1km), scheduled for September 27th.

Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/sports/other-sport/cyclist-nantume-promises-uganda-medal-in-nairobi-5609858