Kigali HeForShe campaign marathon set for Sunday

Hundreds of local elite, amateur and young athletes are expected to take part in the inaugural Kigali HeForShe half-Marathon scheduled for Sunday at Amahoro stadium. The race is organized by the Rwanda Athletics Federation (RAF) and the Ministry of Sports and Culture (MINISPOC) in partnership with the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion (MIGEPROF) under the HeForShe Campaign. HeForShe is a solidarity Movement for Gender equality developed by UN Women to engage Men and Boys as Advocates and Agents of Change for the achievement of Gender equality and Women’s rights. RAF secretary general, Johnson Rukundo disclosed that the event is open to all categories of people and will take up to Rwf12m in organization and prizes. “Our professional athletes will also use the race to prepare for next year’s IAAF World Half Marathon Championships slated for March 27, 2016 in Cardiff, Wales,” said Rukundo. The Kigali HeForShe half-Marathon will include a half marathon (21km) and ‘Run for Fun’ (5km)—all starting and ending at Amahoro stadium. The 21km run will start from Amahoro stadium via Kacyiru Police headquarters, Kinamba, Poid Lourd, Kanogo, Rwandex, Minisante headquarters, Sonatube, Christus, FARG headquarters and back to Amahoro stadium. The 5km run will also start from Amahoro stadium via University of Rwanda (former KIE), FERWAFA headquarters and back to Amahoro stadium. Rwanda’s long distance runners like Robert Kajuga, Potien Ntawuyirushitege, Claudette Mukasakindi and Salome Nyirarukundo will take part vying for tickets to the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships. Other sponsors of Kigali HeForShe half-Marathon include; the Rwanda national Olympic and Sports Committee, MTN, EAU ECHANGE Manufactures, Nakumat, Admirer and Surfo Industries.