THE upcoming Kigali International Peace Marathon will be bigger, better and more exciting than the previous thirteen editions, Rwanda Athletics Federation – RAF – has assured.

The 14th edition of the annual prestigious event takes place on Sunday, May 20.

"We have established high standards for the race in accordance with IAAF regulations. This year’s edition is definitely going to be bigger and better. RAF President Fidele Mubiligi said of the 14th Peace Marathon in an exclusive interview on Wednesday.

Today, the much anticipated event, participants will gather at Amahoro National Stadium for ‘Peace Torch’ before visiting the Nyanza Genocide Memorial Center in Kicukiro district.

While by press time, only a little over 5000 people had registered to take part in the glamorous race, Mubiligi was confident the record 8000 participants will be reached, explaining that most people tend to register at the last minute.

The full-marathon champions in both men and women’s categories will earn Rwf2 million, silver medalists pocket Rwf1.6 million while bronze medalists will walk away Rwf1.4 million. The fourth and fifth finishers will get 1 million and 800,000 Rwandan francs respectively.

In half-marathon, gold medalists are set for a Rwf1 million cash prize while the first and second runners-up will be awarded 700,000 and 500,000 Rwandan francs in that order. Marathoners to undergo doping test

Full marathon athletes for the prestigious 14th Kigali International Peace Marathon, will have to take a doping test. This applied only to this category. Half-marathon runners and 10-kilometre run-for-peace participants won’t have to undergo the tests.

The development was confirmed to Saturday Sport by Olivier Rutangana, Secretary General of Rwanda Athletics Federation – RAF.

The process will be conducted by medical experts from Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC) in partnership with medical doctors from Kanombe Military Hospital.

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