Rwanda Athletics Federation (RAF) has selected two athletes; Jean Baptiste Ruvubi and Epiphanie Nyirabarame to represent the country at this year’s ‘Ascension du Mont Cameroon race set for February 15 in Cameroon.

The two athletes were selected by the local athletics governing body technical committee yesterday.

This year’s edition of the annual tournament was themed ‘Guinness Mont Cameroun race of hope 2014’ because of the comeback of Guinness into sponsoring the international competition after over a decade without its sponsorship.  Ascension du Mont Cameroon was inaugurated in 1973.

Cameroon Athletics Federation asked their Rwandan counterparts to send two athletes (male and female) and the organisers will provide everything from air tickets, accommodation and meals.  The duo is set to leave for Cameroon on February 13, two days before the event.

"They (Cameroun) asked for two athletes from Rwanda and we chose Ruvubi and Nyirabarame because they are the most suitable candidates and are used to such competitions,” RAF general secretary Johnson Rukundo said.

He also noted that the two athletes will start preparations immediately. The race will cover over 38 kilometres and the winner will pocket US$20, 000 (roughly Rwf 13.5m).