Rwanda Athletic Federation (RAF) secretary general Johnson Rukundo has commended Salome Nyirarukundo after winning the Tanzania Rotary Half Marathon on Wednesday.

Nyirarukundo, 23, ran the 21 kilometers in one hour and 11 minutes to win the women’s race while Tanzanian Emmanuel Giniki took the men’s title after he clocked 1 hour and 2 minutes.

Both winners took home a gold medal and Tsh.3 million (about Rwf1m). Ismael Juma and Joseph Theophile completed a 1-2-3 for Tanzania.

"We are happy for our girl. She is getting better every day and hopefully she will continue to learn more and with more experience, she will become a top long distance athlete,” Rukundo said.

He added that, "I think it is important for our athletes to take part in such competition as it gives them more confidence especially now that they are looking for Olympic 2016 qualification.”

In the men’s category, Alexis Nizeyimana finished in 10th position in a time of 1h3’ 51”, Potien Ntawuyirushintenge came in 15th place in 1h4’00” while Robert Kajuga was in 18th position after clocking 1h5’00”.

Rwanda’s best finisher last year was Clémentine Mukandanga, who took a bronze medal after she clocked one hour and fifteen minutes to finish behind Tanzanian duo of Anastia and Katarina Range.

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