Ruvubi writes history at Kigali Peace Marathon

New Athletics Stars (NAS) runner Jean Baptiste Ruvubi clocked 2:19:03 to finish a historic second in the men’s 42km at the 11th edition of the Kigali International Peace Marathon yesterday.

Monday, May 25, 2015

Usher Komugisha

Rwanda's Ruvubi (L) finished a historic second in a race won by Kenya's Ezekial Omullo Kemboi, seen here celebrating as he crossed the finish line to win the men's full marathon, yesterday. (T. Kisambira)

FULL MARATHON

Men

1. Ezekial Kemboi (Ken) - 2:18:152. Jean B. Ruvubi (Rwa) - 2:19:033. Benard Kipngetich (Ken) - 2:19:275. Fred Habakurama (Rwa) - 2:22:04

Women

1. Peris Toroitich (Ken) - 2:47:222. Elisabether Chemwno (Ken) - 2:47:593. Shelmith Muriuki (Ken) - 2:50:184. Jenviere Musabimana (Rwa) - 2:56:40

Half Marathon

Men

1. Wycliffe Kipkorir Biwot (Ken) - 1:04:402. Naillel Anisomuk Hoseya (Ken) - 1:04:553. Eric Sebahire (Rwa) - 1:04:584. Felicien Muhitira (Rwa) - 1:05:16

Women

1. Gladys Pkemoi (Ken) - 1:12:392. Rose Chelimo (Ken) - 1:13:383. Nancy Chepngetich (Ken) - 1:14:124. Salome Nyirarukundo (Rwa) - 1:14:51

New Athletics Stars (NAS) runner Jean Baptiste Ruvubi clocked 2:19:03 to finish a historic second in the men’s 42km at the 11th edition of the Kigali International Peace Marathon yesterday.

Thousands of participants commence the 'Run for Fun' 5km run at Amahoro Atadium

Kenyan Ezekiel Omullo Kemboi gains pace at the KBC roundabout as he approached the 32km-mark.

The 28-year old ended a decade-long Rwandan jinx that had seen Kenyans dominate the podium in the full marathon.

"I am more than excited about my achievement today. It was not easy but I kept believing that I can make it and when I got to the 35km mark, fans encouraged me to continue and indeed I overtook three runners in front of me with 5km to go and I am glad I finished second,” explained the thrilled Ruvubi.

Salome Nyirarukundo finished fourth in the women's half marathon.

Rwanda's Jean-Baptiste Ruvubi finished a historic second in the men's full marathon on Sunday.

Kenya’s Ezekial Omullo Kemboi (2:18:15) finished 48 seconds ahead of the Gicumbi-based long distance runner with Benard Kipngetich (Kenya), who clocked 2:19:27, finishing third.

It was a clean sweep for the Kenyans in the women’s category with Peris Jerotich Toroitich (2:47:22) walking away with the gold medal while Elisabether Chemwno (2:47:59) and Shelmith Nyawira Muriuki (2:50:18) finished second and third, respectively.

Rwanda's Olympian Claudette Mukasakindi was ninth in the women's half marathon.

Janviere Musabimana clocked 2:56:40 to finish fourth and as the highest placed Rwandan female in the 42km event.

Medallists in the men's full marathon pose for a photo with their medals and cash prizes.

Rwandan Eric Sebahire (1:04:58) and Felicien Muhitira 91:05:16) were third and fourth in that order in the half marathon – 21km while Salome Nyirarukundo was the highest placed Rwanda finishing in fourth position after posting 1:14:51.

MTN Rwanda CEO Ebenezer Asante hands Ezekial Omullo Kemboi a certificate and a cheque worth Rwf1.6m ($2,300) for emerging winner in the men's full marathon.

The winners of the full marathon walked away with Rwf1.6m ($2,300) with the runner-ups getting Rwf1.2m ($1,700) while the winners of the half marathon were rewarded with Rwf1m ($1,430) and runners up bagging Rwf700, 000 ($1,000).