BOSTON, MA — April 20, 2025 — On Saturday, April 19, the South End storefront of Heartbreak Hill Running Company was transformed into a vibrant celebration of Ugandan excellence, global running culture, and community connection. The event — “Uganda to Boston: Win a Trip to the Pearl of Africa for the Rwenzori Marathon” — honored the Boston Marathon debut of 2023 World Champion Victor Kiplangat and spotlighted the deep-running legacy of Uganda’s high-altitude athletes.
April 19, 2025, South End neighborhood of Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, USA: World Marathon Champion and Commonwealth Gold medalist Victor Kiplangat (4th from right) takes a group photo at “Uganda to Boston” celebration, at Heartbreak Hill Running Co. in South End neighborhood of Boston. Kiplangat is competing 2025 Boston Marathon for the first rime and seeks to become the first Ugandan man to win the Boston Marathon.
Over 200 guests — including local runners, cultural leaders, officials from the Uganda Embassy, Washington, DC, and Boston residents — gathered for an afternoon of music, food, storytelling, and cross-cultural exchange just 48 hours before Kiplangat takes on Boston’s historic course.
A Celebration Rooted in Excellence
The afternoon opened with a traditional dance performance by the Pearl Dancers, followed by savory East African snacks from Sentie’s Kitchen. Inside the store, guests packed in shoulder-to-shoulder for a fireside chat with Kiplangat and U.S.-based elite coach Patrick Cheptoek, both originally from the mountainous town of Kapchorwa, Uganda — a region known for producing Olympic medalists like Joshua Cheptegei and Jacob Kiplimo.
“Back in 2023, when I crossed the finish line in Budapest, my heart was aching,” Kiplangat said of his World Championship win. “It felt like a dream — I wasn’t known then. But in that moment, I made Uganda proud.”
Cheptoek shared his journey from Kapchorwa to Kentucky, where he arrived as a student-athlete in 2008 and now mentors emerging talent. “You don’t have to win to be great,” he said. “You just have to love the sport, do your best, and stay devoted.”
April 19, 2025, South End neighborhood of Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, USA: World Marathon Champion and Commonwealth Gold medalist Victor Kiplangat (white T-shirt) dances with Ugandan Pearl dancers at “Uganda to Boston” celebration, at Heartbreak Hill Running Co. in South End neighborhood of Boston. The celebration features Ugandan Marathon star, World Marathon Champion and Commonwealth Gold medalist Victor Kiplangat. Kiplangat is competing 2025 Boston Marathon for the first time and seeks to become the first Ugandan man to win the Boston Marathon.
A Cultural Bridge Between Boston and Uganda Organized by Running Launch Ventures in partnership with the Ugandan Embassy in Washington, the Uganda Boston Community Association (UBCA), Heartbreak Hill Running Co., and the Rwenzori Marathon team, the event served as a sports diplomacy effort and bridge between two running capitals — Boston and Uganda..
The day’s programming included an immersive raffle experience, where two attendees walked away with an all-expenses-paid trip to Uganda — including roundtrip airfare, lodging, entry into the 2025 Rwenzori Marathon, and a bucket-list gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Additional winners will be drawn digitally after Marathon Monday.
Elevating Global Stories of Devotion
The event marked a powerful continuation of Heartbreak Hill’s Most Devoted series — a Nike-sponsored platform spotlighting powerful stories of purpose and perseverance in running.
Media advocate Ronnie Mayanja of the Ugandan Diaspora Network and Uganda Boston Community Association (UBCA) leader Afande Momo were among the local voices helping amplify the message, alongside Boston-based cultural champions.
“This was about more than sport,” said Ryan Lee, the event’s lead organizer. “It was about celebrating legacy, sharing stories across continents, and reminding Boston that greatness can come from the most unexpected mountain villages.”
As Kiplangat prepares for his Boston Marathon debut on Monday, April 21, the Ugandan flag will be flying proudly on Heartbreak Hill, where the Newton store will host a cheer zone rallying behind the reigning world champion.
Check out the gallery below for some photo highlights from the event.
April 19, 2025, South End neighborhood of Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, USA: Ugandan Pearl dancers perform at “Uganda to Boston” celebration, at Heartbreak Hill Running Co. in South End neighborhood of Boston.
The celebration features Ugandan Marathon star, World Marathon Champion and Commonwealth Gold medalist Victor Kiplangat. Kiplangat is competing 2025 Boston Marathon for the first time and seeks to become the first Ugandan man to win the Boston Marathon.
April 19, 2025, South End neighborhood of Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, USA: Ugandan Pearl dancers perform at “Uganda to Boston” celebration, at Heartbreak Hill Running Co. in South End neighborhood of Boston.
The celebration features Ugandan Marathon star, World Marathon Champion and Commonwealth Gold medalist Victor Kiplangat. Kiplangat is competing 2025 Boston Marathon for the first time and seeks to become the first Ugandan man to win the Boston Marathon.
April 19, 2025, South End neighborhood of Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, USA: World Marathon Champion and Commonwealth Gold medalist Victor Kiplangat (white t-shirt) takes a selfie with a fan at “Uganda to Boston” celebration, at Heartbreak Hill Running Co. in South End neighborhood of Boston. Kiplangat is competing 2025 Boston Marathon for the first rime and seeks to become the first Ugandan man to win the Boston Marathon.
April 19, 2025, South End neighborhood of Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, USA: World Marathon Champion and Commonwealth Gold medalist Victor Kiplangat (R) participates the fireside chat with Ugandan runner Patrick Cheptoek(L) and Dan Fitzgerald, co-founder of Heartbreak Hill Running Company (C) at “Uganda to Boston” celebration, at Heartbreak Hill Running Co. in South End neighborhood of Boston. Kiplangat is competing 2025 Boston Marathon for the first time and seeks to become the first Ugandan man to win the Boston Marathon.
April 19, 2025, South End neighborhood of Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, USA: World Marathon Champion and Commonwealth Gold medalist Victor Kiplangat (R) participates the fireside chat with Ugandan runner Patrick Cheptoek at “Uganda to Boston” celebration, at Heartbreak Hill Running Co. in South End neighborhood of Boston. Kiplangat is competing 2025 Boston Marathon for the first time and seeks to become the first Ugandan man to win the Boston Marathon.
April 19, 2025, South End neighborhood of Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, USA: World Marathon Champion and Commonwealth Gold medalist Victor Kiplangat ( holding a microphone/Center) speaks during the fireside chat with Ugandan runner Patrick Cheptoek (front) and Dan Fitzgerald, co-founder of Heartbreak Hill Running Company (black t-shirt, standing) at “Uganda to Boston” celebration, at Heartbreak Hill Running Co. in South End neighborhood of Boston. Kiplangat is competing 2025 Boston Marathon for the first time and seeks to become the first Ugandan man to win the Boston Marathon.
April 19, 2025, South End neighborhood of Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, USA: World Marathon Champion and Commonwealth Gold medalist Victor Kiplangat speaks during the fireside chat with Ugandan runner Patrick Cheptoek (L) at Heartbreak Hill Running Co. in South End neighborhood of Boston. Kiplangat is competing 2025 Boston Marathon for the first time and seeks to become the first Ugandan man to win the Boston Marathon.
April 19, 2025, South End neighborhood of Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, USA:Ugandan runner Patrick Cheptoek speaks during fireside chat at “Uganda to Boston” celebration, at Heartbreak Hill Running Co. in South End neighborhood of Boston. The celebration features Ugandan Marathon star, World Marathon Champion and Commonwealth Gold medalist Victor Kiplangat. Kiplangat is competing 2025 Boston Marathon for the first time and seeks to become the first Ugandan man to win the Boston Marathon.
April 19, 2025, South End neighborhood of Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, USA: World Marathon Champion and Commonwealth Gold medalist Victor Kiplangat appears at “Uganda to Boston” celebration, at Heartbreak Hill Running Co. in South End neighborhood of Boston. Kiplangat is competing 2025 Boston Marathon for the first time and seeks to become the first Ugandan man to win the Boston Marathon.
April 19, 2025, South End neighborhood of Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, USA: World Marathon Champion and Commonwealth Gold medalist Victor Kiplangat poses (second from right) at “Uganda to Boston” celebration, at Heartbreak Hill Running Co. in South End neighborhood of Boston. Kiplangat is competing 2025 Boston Marathon for the first time and seeks to become the first Ugandan man to win the Boston Marathon.
Seen in photo are George Tabagana (Ugandan Embassy), Patrick Cheptoek, Dan Fitzgerald (Heartbreak Hill Running Company) Victor Kiplangat and Benon Kayemba (Ugandan Embassy). (L-R)
April 19, 2025, South End neighborhood of Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, USA: World Marathon Champion and Commonwealth Gold medalist Victor Kiplangat (4th from right) takes a group photo at “Uganda to Boston” celebration, at Heartbreak Hill Running Co. in South End neighborhood of Boston. Kiplangat is competing 2025 Boston Marathon for the first rime and seeks to become the first Ugandan man to win the Boston Marathon.
April 19, 2025, South End neighborhood of Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, USA: World Marathon Champion and Commonwealth Gold medalist Victor Kiplangat takes a group photo (third from right) at “Uganda to Boston” celebration, at Heartbreak Hill Running Co. in South End neighborhood of Boston. Kiplangat is competing 2025 Boston Marathon for the first time and seeks to become the first Ugandan man to win the Boston Marathon.
Seen in photo are Patrick Cheptoek, Victor Kiplangat , Afande Momo (head of Uganda Boston Community Association) and Benon Kayemba (Ugandan Embassy). (L-R)
April 19, 2025, South End neighborhood of Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, USA: World Marathon Champion and Commonwealth Gold medalist Victor Kiplangat (L) signs a sneaker for a fan at “Uganda to Boston” celebration, at Heartbreak Hill Running Co. in South End neighborhood of Boston. Kiplangat is competing 2025 Boston Marathon for the first time and seeks to become the first Ugandan man to win the Boston Marathon.
April 19, 2025, South End neighborhood of Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, USA: World Marathon Champion and Commonwealth Gold medalist Victor Kiplangat appears at “Uganda to Boston” celebration, at Heartbreak Hill Running Co. in South End neighborhood of Boston. Kiplangat is competing 2025 Boston Marathon for the first time and seeks to become the first Ugandan man to win the Boston Marathon.
April 19, 2025, South End neighborhood of Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, USA: Ugandan Pearl dancers perform at “Uganda to Boston” celebration, at Heartbreak Hill Running Co. in South End neighborhood of Boston.
The celebration features Ugandan Marathon star, World Marathon Champion and Commonwealth Gold medalist Victor Kiplangat. Kiplangat is competing 2025 Boston Marathon for the first time and seeks to become the first Ugandan man to win the Boston Marathon.
April 19, 2025, South End neighborhood of Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, USA: World Marathon Champion and Commonwealth Gold medalist Victor Kiplangat (white T-shirt) dances with Ugandan Pearl dancers at “Uganda to Boston” celebration, at Heartbreak Hill Running Co. in South End neighborhood of Boston.
The celebration features Ugandan Marathon star, World Marathon Champion and Commonwealth Gold medalist Victor Kiplangat. Kiplangat is competing 2025 Boston Marathon for the first time and seeks to become the first Ugandan man to win the Boston Marathon.
April 19, 2025, South End neighborhood of Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, USA: World Marathon Champion and Commonwealth Gold medalist Victor Kiplangat (white T-shirt) dances with Ugandan Pearl dancers at “Uganda to Boston” celebration, at Heartbreak Hill Running Co. in South End neighborhood of Boston.
The celebration features Ugandan Marathon star, World Marathon Champion and Commonwealth Gold medalist Victor Kiplangat. Kiplangat is competing 2025 Boston Marathon for the first time and seeks to become the first Ugandan man to win the Boston Marathon.
April 19, 2025, South End neighborhood of Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, USA: World Marathon Champion and Commonwealth Gold medalist Victor Kiplangat (white T-shirt) dances with Ugandan Pearl dancers at “Uganda to Boston” celebration, at Heartbreak Hill Running Co. in South End neighborhood of Boston.
The celebration features Ugandan Marathon star, World Marathon Champion and Commonwealth Gold medalist Victor Kiplangat. Kiplangat is competing 2025 Boston Marathon for the first time and seeks to become the first Ugandan man to win the Boston Marathon.
April 19, 2025, South End neighborhood of Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, USA: World Marathon Champion and Commonwealth Gold medalist Victor Kiplangat (L) takes a selfie with Dan Fitzgerald, co-founder of Heartbreak Hill Running Company, at “Uganda to Boston” celebration, at Heartbreak Hill Running Co. in South End neighborhood of Boston. Kiplangat is competing 2025 Boston Marathon for the first time and seeks to become the first Ugandan man to win the Boston Marathon.
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