How teamwork led Trailblazers to victory
BY GLORIA IRANKUNDA
Mark Kakuru Tushabe, a 21-year-old student at YMCA Comprehensive Institute, never anticipated that a simple decision would lead to a memorable experience. As part of the University Fitness Club’s regular runners and marathoners, Tushabe and his teammates were used to physical challenges. When the 2024 Joe Walker Remembrance Walk was announced, they saw it as a perfect opportunity to compete as a team.
After gathering a group of willing participants, the team quickly realised choosing a name was just as important as the walk itself. “We had a vote, and names like Walkaholics and Trailblazers came up,” Tushabe recalls. “But Trailblazers felt perfect, it wasn’t just about walking; it was about blazing a trail.”
With Richard Kasangaki, Lwanga Chaz Miti, Brian Mutono, Ken Ntandiko, Prossy Nuwatuha, and Tushabe at the core, Team Trailblazers was formed, and they went on to win in the 10km walk category for groups of six. Tushabe shares their unforgettable experience.
How did team Trailblazers prepare for the 60 km challenge?
We are all into running and other fitness activities, so we all had our unique routines and approaches to preparation. Each of us brought something different to the table, whether it was experience, motivation, or strategy.
With six people in the team, how did you coordinate to ensure everyone was prepared and ready for their 10km stretch?
To stay coordinated, we made it a point to use our phones to remind each other to stay on track with our preparation. Simple reminders like “Hey, get ready!” or sharing tips for tackling the challenges ahead kept us motivated and connected.
What role did teamwork play in your experience of the walk?
Team work boosted the collective effort, knowing that while we each had our personal goals, we were also working together to achieve something bigger as a team.
How did you communicate with the rest of the team during the event, especially if each person was walking individually?
We communicated by phone. We’d call each other, asking, “Are you close to the next point?”
What challenges did you face while walking your 10 km, both physically and mentally?
At some point, the journey felt overwhelming. Covering 10 kilometres was no small feat, and there were moments when I felt like giving up.
What kept you motivated? Did you have any personal strategies to keep going when things got tough?
I reminded myself that my teammates had already completed their distances. That realisation pushed me forward, I could not let them down. As a team, I believe the mindset was already there, we were determined to win. We knew we had the potential, even if we were not completely sure.
Were there any specific moments that stood out to you during the walk that made you feel particularly proud or inspired?
Yes, one moment stood out when I reached the handover point in Busega after finishing my 10km stretch. Though I did not find my teammate, another teammate stepped in to keep things moving while we waited for him. When he finally showed up, I told him to run ahead, find the spot, and take over.
Mark Tushabe is the second left in blue shorts.
What was the atmosphere like as you and your teammates reached the finish line? Did you all cross it together, or individual team members finished at different times?
Since I had reached the handover point earlier and one member was not there, Richard stepped in to push on until the missing teammate joined. Meanwhile, the rest of us stayed behind, confident in our lead. At one point, we looked back and realised no one was close to catching up. Chaz Miti was the one who took the final leg and reached Sheraton Hotel ahead of us. We kept calling him to check if we had won, and he confirmed it before we arrived. When we got to Sheraton, we found him and another team member already waiting for us. It was an unforgettable moment.
Looking back, what was the most memorable part of the walk for you?
Losing track of the route. I did not know the route well and had to rely on the map, which left me a bit confused. There were people around at some points, but not everywhere. At one point, I called a teammate for guidance, and he simply said, “Keep moving straight, don’t worry.” I even asked some boda boda riders for directions along the way. At one handover point, boda boda riders became an issue. Some were using the pavement we were walking on. We had to stop a few and explain, as one had already knocked someone earlier. Managing that situation was a challenge.
How did you feel after completing your 10km and seeing the team’s collective achievement of 60 km?
Personally, it made me feel proud and motivated to take on more challenges in the future. For the team, it strengthened our bond and kept us united.
What was the most rewarding aspect of the entire experience, both personally and as part of Trailblazers?
Expanding social capital. You meet new people, build connections, and you never know where those relationships might take you in the future. Networking is at the heart of it all, and that is the main reason I participate in these runs.
What lessons did you learn about endurance, teamwork, and personal determination from participating in this walk?
The biggest lesson I learned is that everything, whether walking, running, or any challenge, is a mental game, not just a physical one. Your body might get tired at times, but it is your mind that keeps you going.
What advice would you give to someone preparing for a similar long-distance event, especially as part of a team?
My advice would be to stick together and plan accordingly. Most importantly, time management is crucial. If you can coordinate well on timing, everything else will fall into place.
Would you consider taking on a bigger challenge in the future, either walking a longer distance individually or participating in a different type of event?
Yes, definitely. For the next walk, we plan to defend our title with the same team. We’re focused on keeping the championship we won.
