Over 4000 athletes set for Kigali Peace Marathon

With only four days to the 12th edition of the Kigali International Peace Marathon, slated for Sunday, more than 4000 athletes from over 30 countries across the world are expected to participate in the event, officials have said. Started as a way to use sports in the healing and reconciliation process in the aftermath of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, this year’s edition is themed “Peace beyond the borders” and will attract athletes from within the country, neighbouring countries like Burundi, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and as far as Europe and USA. Rwanda Athletics Federation (RAF) vice chairman Thomas Kajuga said: “Everything is done and well prepared, we hope this will be a historic event because, so far, 30 countries have confirmed to participate and we even hope the number may increase to over 4000 runners because registration is still in progress.” Long distance runner Jean Baptiste Ruvubi will be aiming to be the first Rwandan to win the annual event which has been dominated by Kenyans. The 34 year old finished one minute and twelve seconds behind last year’s winner Ezekiel Kemboi during in the 42km marathon. Meanwhile, this year’s winners will bag a cash prize of Rwf22.5m, according to the organisers. The event will feature 3 categories including; full marathon (42km), half marathon (21km), and Fun run (7km) however only two categories; the full and half marathon will be entitled to the cash prize money. The winner of the full marathon in both the men and women categories will get two million Rwandan francs increasing from Rwf1.6m in the previous editions, while half marathon winners in both categories will take home one million Rwandan francs, up from Rwf800, 000 in 2015. The 21km race will start from Amahoro stadium via Chez Lando, Gishushu, MTN Centre Nyarutarama, Gacuriro, and back to Gishushu, Parliament, Umubano hotel and then to Gishushu, Gisementi, Tigo, University of Rwanda (former KIE), Control Technique, Sports View hotel and back to Amahoro stadium while the 42km will be twice this route. The run for fun, which is 7km, will start from the Amahoro stadium via University of Rwanda (former KIE), Control Technique, Sports View hotel and then back to the stadium. MTN are the official sponsors of the event after putting Rwf69million into the one day event. editorial@newtimes.co.rw