Star athletes to watch at Kigali Peace Marathon 2024

The Rwanda Athletes Federation (RAF) on Friday, June 7, announced on that the 19th edition of the Kigali International Peace Marathon (KIPM) will feature some of the world's leading athletes, with Kenya and Ethiopian dominating the list of internationals. ALSO READ: Rwanda athletes upbeat ahead of Kigali International Peace Marathon The annual race, set for Sunday, June 9, in Kigali, recently achieved the prestigious Global Elite Label Status and aims to reach the highest level of Gold by next year to be able to attract world’s athletics stars to compete in the running race. To attain this Gold status, the marathon must feature at least eight top-level athletes. Among this year's participants are Ethiopian Mare Dibaba, the 2015 Women's World Marathon Champion, and her cousin, Adelaidlew Mamo, who finished second in the 2023 Seville Marathon. Dibaba is also an Olympic medalist, with a personal best of 2:19:52 while her cousin Adelaidlew Mamo emerged as first runner-up at the 2023 Seville Marathon with a personal best of 2:05:12. The race will also see the return of Silas Kiprotich (Kenya), the 2023 KIPM silver winner. The Kigali international Peace Marathion will see athletes competing in three categories namely Full Marathon (42.195 kilometers), the Half Marathon (21.098 kilometers), and the Run for Peace (10 kilometers), which is open to non-competitive runners. The event has been elevated due to excellent preparations, high participation of world-class athletes, strict adherence to regulations, and robust anti-doping measures. With just one days remaining, available numbers as of June 8, show that some more than 7,000 participants have registered in various categories. The turn up has already surpassed the 6000 who took part in the 2023 edition. Registration remains open at the BK Arena and via the marathon's website via www.kigalimarathon.org Since its inception in 2005, the Kigali International Peace Marathon continues to promote peace and athletic excellence on a global stage, striving for greater recognition and success in the world of competitive marathons. World’s athletes to watch Gold Label Women: Mare Dibaba (Ethiopia), Beyenu Degefa (Ethiopia), Joan Kipyatich (Kenya), Meseret Abebayehu (Ethiopia) and Gebaiynesh Ayele (Kenya). Elite Label Women:Soud Kanbouchia (Morocco), Sheila Chepkech (Kenya), Sofia Assefa (Ethiopia), Lilian Jebitok (Kenya), Gladys Chemutai (Kenya) and Zewudinesh Hurisa (Ethiopia). Gold Label Men: Adelaidlew Mamo (Ethiopia), Berhane Tesfay (Eritrea), Bethwell Chumba (Kenya), Patrick Moison (Kenya), Yohans Mekasha (Ethiopia) and Laban Korir (Kenya). Elite Label Men: Silas Kiprotich (Kenya), Abdellah Taghrafet (Morocco), Abel Kirui (Kenya), Benson Tunyo (Kenya), Merhawi Kesete (Eritrea), Boki Kebebe (Ethiopia), Hicham Laqouahi (Morocco) and Wilfred Kirwa (Kenya).

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Star athletes to watch at Kigali Peace Marathon 2024