Celebrating Charles' Running Milestones


For many years since I took up running in 2003 I was running with friends and our common bond was running.  On some occasions it was a solo run - a fabulous way of fantasizing about all the things you wanted to be but never really became.   The runs that give you a chance to dream about things that you dreamt about as a 16 year old.  I have a feeling that alone winds the age clock back.

 

Then you came.  Although it had never really crossed my mind, your arrival ended any dim thoughts about hanging up my running shoes.  I may have been diligent but I wasn’t as plucky as you are.  In the last 15 years since you took up running you have taught me to be courageous and take on races that are long and in places that I never thought I would go to.  From running in a park among wild animals to running in places where we are the only Ugandans showing up, we have laced up next to each other and headed to places unknown.  A different type of relationship, friendship and bond has developed  —one that is special and only understood by people that regularly share a run.   

 

First, thank you for being there at all those atrocious hours of the morning throughout our hectic, crazy running life.  We have had fun over the years travelling far and wide, often exchanging banter.  In the road races, kids young enough to be our own children have moved aside to give us way.  We have reminisced at how good it is that we took on running.  Life has never been the same as we knew it—for the better.

 

Recreational runners and endurance athletes are generally interesting people. We embrace strange sleep patterns and an impeding run determines our lives like we expect to win cash or something substantial. Friends and relatives don’t understand our obsession and often ask that annoying question after a run –‘what did you win’.   We forgive them for their ignorance for they do not know how offensive that is.  But inside us, we are beaming with pride another medal in the bag and another race completed.  We pretend to be subtle about our accomplishments but only because those around us do not understand what these triumphs mean to us. 

 

Well, I have no intentions of being restrained about what you are about to achieve.   At this point in our running life, you’ve moved way so much ahead of me that you deserve to be celebrated.  A 4 star general soon becoming 5 stars leaving me a whole 4 stars behind.  For the uninitiated, ardent and addicted (??) recreational runners usually chase to become six star generals.  Becoming a 6 star general means that one has completed the six world major marathons- Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York City, and Tokyo.  These races are also known as the Abbott World Marathon Majors (WMM) and are considered the world's most prestigious marathons. Finishers of all six marathons receive a coveted six star medal.  Completing all six marathons is considered the apex of a marathon runner's journey.  My brother Charles Mugamabe Ssalongo is on the cusp of that achievement.  

I had been running for almost 8 years when he eventually took up the habit and decided to join in.  I always flirted with the idea but never really took up the challenge.  However, in just 15 years he has completed four of these marathons and this weekend he heads out to Japan to complete the 5th one.  It may sound easy to those who don’t know what it entails, but it’s not.  

 

Charles, I want to take this opportunity to let you know how much I admire your diligence, tenacity and commitment.  I want to be there when you finally bag medal No.6 in Boston and celebrate this big milestone.  That surely will be the epitome of determination and hard work.   You have done many races over the years, completed the unconquerable Comrades Marathon in South Africa (two times),  but making it 6 out of 6 majors will always be the biggest highlight of one’s running career. 

 

Thanks for the inspiration through the years.  I will never be the fastest, but you have taught me how to be unstoppable.  It’s always a blessing to start a run with you.  And when you have the privilege to run, race and celebrate with a person who you’ve shared so much of your life with—its been 40 years since, you really can’t fail to applaud them for their achievements.  Let’s go fetch medal No.5 and all the best my brother.

 

 


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