Marathon and long distance athlete Jean Baptiste Ruvubi is undergoing intensive preparations for the upcoming Kigali Peace Marathon due on Sunday, May 22, with the start and finish line at Amahoro National Stadium in Kigali.

In an interview with Times Sport, Ruvubi, aiming to smash his personal best, said he is training twice each day – in the morning and evening – in Kicukiro, covering a distance of 10-12km for 4-3 hours, respectively.

"The training is going well, both physically and mentally; I feel fine, I am training hard to try and get myself into good shape before I resort to doing non-physical preparations that will give me get a calm composure on the day of the marathon.”

However, Ruvubi, who is training in the absence of coach Eugene Ndasunikwa, said he’s anxious and had asked the local athletics federation (RAF) to find him another coach to guide him through the last preparations.

"Hopefully they will respond sooner rather than later. The coach left for other duties”.

When asked a popular, straightforward question about the Kenyans who have dominated the marathon since its inception in 2005, Ruvubi responded: 

"They are efficient, taller, have long legs, and more slender limbs which give them the edge when it comes to long-distance running. It is hard to beat them in what they are good at but I'm ready for the challenge.”

Last year, Ruvubi finished one minute and twelve seconds behind Kenyan winner Ezekiel Kemboi during the full 42km marathon.