The 2023 edition of the annual Kigali International Peace Marathon (KIPM) is scheduled for June 11, the Rwanda Athletics Federation (RAF) has announced.

Federation president Lt. Col (Rtd) Lemuel Kayumba told Times Sport that registration is ongoing with so many elite athletes across the globe expected to grace the long-distance running event.

"Registration has started, for those who want to participate in the Peace Marathon. Preparations are also going well in general,” said Kayumba.

Started in 2004 as an amateur race as a way to use sports in the healing and reconciliation process in the aftermath of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, the event has grown to becoming one of the most respected annual athletics events in the region and the continent.

Last year, Rwanda’s female middle-distance runner Adeline Musabyeyezu put up an impressive performance that saw her strike a gold medal in the women's half marathon of the 2022 Kigali International Peace Marathon.

Musabyeyezu clocked 1h14'09", 11 seconds ahead of Burundian Elevanie Nimbona (1h14'20") while Kenyan Doris Jepkoech went on to finish third to win bronze in the process.

The 25-year-old, who plays for APR Athletics, is one of only two Rwandan athletes who managed to make it to the podium in the race that was dominated by Kenyans in various categories.