Muhitira retains Marvejols-Mende Half Marathon title

Sunday Marvejols-Mende Half Marathon top five 1.Felicien Muhitira (Rwanda) 1h11’22” 2.John Liotang (Kenya) 1h12’51” 3.Ezechiel Chepkorom (Uganda) 1h13’26” 4.Ladan Kaniu Wanjiku (Kenya) 1h13’40” 5.Terefa Debela Delesa (Ethiopia) 1h13’50” Rwanda international long distance and cross country runner Felicien Muhitira has won the French race Marvejols-Mende half marathon for a second consecutive time. Muhitira successfully defended the title at the 46th edition of the annual event on Sunday, which he had won last year on his maiden attempt. The 22.4-kilometre race was contested by over 5000 athletes from around the world, with Mountain Classic Athletics runner Muhitira being the only Rwandan in the competition. The 24-year old rose to the occasion, beating stiff competition from Kenyan, Ugandan and Ethiopian elite athletes to retain his gold medal. The former Nyamasheke Athletics Club runner clocked 1 hour, 11 minutes and 22 seconds; 89 seconds ahead of Kenya’s John Liotang who finished second. Lioptang who had also finished second – behind Muhitira - last year, posted 1 hour, 12 minutes and 51 seconds to claim silver while Uganda’s Ezechiel Chepkorom scooped a bronze medal after finishing third with a time of 1 hour, 13 minutes and 26 seconds. Similarly, Chepkorom was the bronze medalist during last year’s 45th edition. Kenya’s Ladan Kaniu Wanjiku fell short of a podium finish by 15 seconds to settle for fourth position whilst while Ethiopia’s Terefa Debela Delesa (1:13:50) completed top five. Besides the gold medal, Muhitira also pocketed Rwf4.75million (€4000) in cash prize. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Muhitira retains Marvejols-Mende Half Marathon title