Rwanda Athletics Federation (RAF) has staked Rwf4 million to be shared among the top six runners in both genders in the first MTN Kigali Marathon (21km) scheduled for November 20.

Speaking to Times Sport on Wednesday, RAF’s Secretary General Johnson Rukundo said, "The competition will be for only local athletes and foreign runners living in Rwanda.”

"We want to use it to discover prospective athletes, who will be trained to represent the country at next year’s World half marathon in Denmark,” the official noted. 

Rukundo confirmed that they have already received sponsorship from the event’s main sponsors, MTN Rwanda and the Ministry of Sports and Culture. "Winners in each category will share Rwf4 m in cash prizes,” added Rukundo.

The marathon will also involve the five and a half kilometres race and a short race dubbed "Run for Fun” and registration is in progress at MTN service centres across the country. Registration fee is Rwf500.

MTN Senior Manager in charge of sponsorship Sakyi Opoku said on Wednesday that the telecommunication’s interest in the Kigali half marathon is just the beginning.

Opoku said that the sole aim for this race is to find the top cream that can represent the country at an international level. He challenged Rwandans to turn up in large numbers to take part in the competition for health purposes.

The MTN Kigali Marathon is expected to take place for the next four years and will focus on youth development and talent detection. This event comes after the 9th Annual Peace Marathon that was held on May 19.