Rwanda’s Angelique Ibishatse has struck gold in the women’s half marathon at the 21st edition of the Kigali International Peace Marathon, held on Sunday, June 14, successfully defending a title that was last year won by Florence Niyonkuru. The race, staged over two days for the first time in the event’s history, saw a complete Rwandan sweep of the women’s half marathon podium. Ibishatse clocked 1 hour, 13 minutes and 29 seconds, finishing ahead of Berthilde Mutuyimana, who was 24 seconds behind, while Thabita Tuyambaze took third place, 34 seconds off the winner’s pace. “Winning a gold as Rwanda’s team captain was not an easy task to me, but I had that responsibility to represent my fellow colleagues,” Ibishatse said after striking a gold medal in half marathon. She is expected to join Florence Niyonkuru, and Emilne Manizabayo in Kenya for preparing the upcoming the 2026 Commonwealth Games. ALSO READ: I want to see Rwanda in athletics conversation—Imanizabayo In the men’s half marathon, Kenya’s Amos Kirui claimed gold after clocking 1 hour, 4 minutes and 16 seconds. Uganda’s Oscar Kibet finished second, just 5 seconds behind, while Zakariah Kirita secured bronze, 15 seconds back. In the full marathon, Kenya’s Kephar Lumbasi Namutali crossed the finish line at the Amahoro Stadium front gate after completing the 42km race in 2 hours, 14 minutes and 19 seconds. He was followed by compatriot Shadrack Kimining, a former half marathon champion in 2022, who finished 59 seconds later to take silver, while Bernard Kipkorir settled for bronze. Rwanda’s Fidele Ntirenganywa came close to the podium, finishing seventh in 2 hours, 18 minutes and 17 seconds, just under four minutes behind the winner. In the women’s full marathon, Kenya’s Ivyne Jeruto emerged victorious after clocking 2 hours, 35 minutes and 35 seconds. She was followed by Ethiopia’s Tegest Ayalew, who finished 41 seconds later, while Tsega Desta claimed bronze, 1 minute and 19 seconds behind. Winners of the full marathon received $20,000 (about Rwf29 million), with second and third place earning $15,000 (about Rwf22 million) and $7,500 (about Rwf11 million) respectively. In the half marathon, the champion pocketed $5,000 (about Rwf7 million), while the runner-up and third-place finishers earned $4,000 and $3,000 respectively.
