RWANDA’s middle and long distance runners Felicien Muhitira and Noel Hitimana have joined the national team’s residential camp for final preparations ahead of the 15th Kigali International Peace Marathon.

The race, one of the country’s biggest sporting events, is due this Sunday.

The Italy-based duo joins the camp in Gicumbi District a little over a week after their compatriots started intensive training – twice a day – under the guidance of Eric Karasira.

Muhitira, 24, will be looking for a his first podium finish in the annual competition, while Hitimana, 29, bids to retain the gold medal he bagged last year  in men’s half-marathon.

Currently featuring for Italian side Atletica Castello, Hitimana became just the second Rwandan to win gold in the men’s half-marathon after retired long distance and cross-country runner Dieudonné Disi, who became the first local athlete to do so at the 2006 edition.

"The two athletes are in good shape, and have immediately started training with teammates,” trainer Karasira told Times Sport in a telephone interview on Wednesday.

The selected team in camp that will represent Rwanda in marathon and half-marathon sections of the competition includes eleven men and two female athletes. The one-day event also comprises a ‘Run for Peace’ 10km race that is open to all.

It is estimated that this year’s edition of Kigali Peace Marathon will attract around 10,000 participants.

editor@newtimesrwanda.com