[PHOTOS]: APR’s Nizeyimana, Yankurije win Bugesera 20km race

APR Athletics Club duo of Alex Nizeyimana and Martha Yankurije put on an excellent performance to win this year’s third edition of Bugesera 20km race in the men and women categories respectively on Sunday in Nyamata, Bugesera District.

Monday, June 12, 2017

Geoffrey Asiimwe

APR Athletics Club runner Alexis Nizeyimana celebrates his victory in the Bugesera 20 km race on Sunday in Nyamata. (All photos by Sam Ngendahimana)

Sunday20km race

MenAlex Nizeyimana (APR) 1:00:33James Sugira (MCA) 1:00:35Joseph Nzirorera (APR) 1:01:32

WomenMartha Yankurije (APR) 1:12:56Clementine Mukandanga (NAS) 1:14:32Claudette Mukasakindi (APR) 1:16:18

8km raceMenOlivier Niyonzima (MCA) 26’:31”Yves Nimubona (Mahama) 26’:42”J. Baptiste Nshimiyimana (GS Ntarama) 27’:54”

WomenPrimitive Niyirora (NAS) 32’:12”Beatha Nishimwe (NAS) 32’:31”Jeanette Uwambajimana 32’:34”

APR Athletics Club duo of Alex Nizeyimana and Martha Yankurije put on an excellent performance to win this year’s third edition of Bugesera 20km race in the men and women categories respectively on Sunday in Nyamata, Bugesera District.

Athletes in elites category (men& women) start the first 20km race.

This was the first 20km race since the first edition in 2015. The first edition covered a distance of 12 kilometres, while the second edition covered 15 kilometres. The annual event is organised by Gasore Serge Foundation.

26-year-old Nizeyimana won the men’s 20 kilometre race in one hour and thirty-three seconds, beating his closest challenger, James Sugira, by only two seconds.

Sugira who is the reigning national cross country champion crossed the finish line in 1 hour and 35 seconds. He runs for Mountain Classic Athletics.

APR’s Joseph Nzirorera came in third place posting 1 hour, one minute and 32 seconds.

"It was a difficult race with big names including the defending champion (Muhitira) and Sugira, but thankfully I have managed to win it. I am so happy that my hard work in training has paid off,” said Nizeyimana.

However, it was a day to forget for defending champion Felicen Muhitira, who pulled out with just 1.5km to the finish line. He blamed his pulling out on high humidity.

Long distance runner Felicien Muhitira who has been in Italy since early April for training not finish the Bugesera 20 Km race.

Meanwhile, APR’s 23-year-old Martha Yankurije dethroned her teammate Claudette Mukasakindi in the women’s category after using 1 hour, 12 minutes and 56 seconds, while Clementine Mukandanga of National Athletic Stars (NAS) came second in 1:14:32. Mukasakindi settled for third place in1:16:18.

This year’s edition had three categories namely; 20km, 8km and 3km for both men and women and attracted about 500 athletes from different local clubs.

Martha Yankurije from APR athletics club won the Bugesera 20 km race in women's category (Sam Ngendahimana)

Serge Gasore (R) the organizer of the race gives his remarks as the athletes get ready to start the Bugesera 20 Km race.

The Bugesera 20 Km race attracted about 500 athletes from different local clubs.

The race was organized by Gasore Foundation.

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