Middle and long distance runner Salome Nyirarukundo has upped her training regimen in an attempt to secure a podium finish at the Bugesera 20km road race come June 17.

The 21-year-old who finished 10th at the TCS World 10km race in Bengaluru, India last month, says she is training hard with optimism to win her first medal in the Bugesera race.

The annual 20-kilmetre race in the Eastern Province is organized by Gasore Serge Foundation, in partnership with Bugesera District.

The APR Athletics Club’s Nyirarukundo who won a second gold medal last month during the Kigali International Peace Marathon, returns to Bugesera 20km race after missing the last two editions, both occasions coinciding with international competitions in Europe.

"I am working myself out to make sure I go hard for it, the last time I raced in the race was in 2015 and unfortunately I did not manage to finish. I am eyeing the top prize at this year’s race,” Nyirarukundo told Times Sport yesterday.

The fast-rising star will have a busy schedule in August, first with the continental championship Lagos, Nigeria on August 1 before taking part in the 2018 Military Games in Kenya.

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