MTN Rwanda has increased the Kigali International Peace Marathon sponsorship package from Rwf58 million last year to Rwf69.75 million this year, the race organizers have said. The event is slated for May 22.

The Rwanda Athletics Federation (RAF), secretary general, Johnson Rukundo said MTN’s sponsorship will help to raise the level of competition. MTN will also award the winners of the women full and half marathon with a cash prize of Rwf2m each while the organizers, RAF, will reward the male winners in the two categories.

The event is expected to attract 5000 participants from Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, DR Congo, Burundi, Ethiopia, Uganda, South Sudan, Eritrea, Djibouti and from outside Africa.

The theme for this year’s race is "Peace beyond the borders.”

The Permanent Secretary in Ministry of Sports and Culture Lt. Col. Patrice Rugambwa said, "We believe this year, more Rwandans will participate in the race.”

This race will feature four categories including; full marathon (42km) and half marathon (21km), 7 Fun run (7km) and Wheel chair race (7km).

For the first time, athletes will use the race to attain the qualification minimum to compete in this year’s Olympic Games which will be held in Rio de Janeiro.

Last year Kenyan Ezekial Kemboi won the men’s full marathon and was followed by Rwandan, Jean Baptiste Ruvubi.

Kenyans Peris Jerotich Toroitich, Elisabether Chemwno and Shelmith Nyawira Muriuki dominated the women’s race. Rwanda’s Jenviere Musabimana finished fourth.

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