Disi set to defend Glo Half Marathon title

Total cash prize $210,000Winner $50,000Second $25,000Third $15,000Fourth $10,000Fifth $5,000

Friday, February 20, 2009
Dieudonne Disi cruising to victory in Lagos half marathon race.

Total cash prize $210,000
Winner $50,000
Second $25,000
Third $15,000
Fourth $10,000
Fifth $5,000

Rwanda’s Dieudonne Disi is expected to battle over 50 elite athletes in his quest to defend his Glo-Lagos International Half Marathon title today in Nigeria.

Disi finished third in 2006 and went on to win the next edition in 2007 and a repeat victory for the Rwandan this year will not come as a surprise.

He however, faces tough challenge as he must beat some of world’s best athletes to pocket the top winner’s cash prize of $50,000.

Disi, 28 is competing in this race to keep him in shape ahead of the Iaaf World Cross Country Championship due in Jordan on March 28.

Among the strong field of international athlete will the Marathon world record holder Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia, who is making a guest appearance at this year’s event.

Disi and Gebrselassie last raced against each other during the Beijing Olympic Games last August when Disi finished 19th and the great Ethiopian came fourth in the men’s 10.000m.

Also expected in Lagos are; Luke Kibet (Kenya) the reigning world marathon champion, Tsegay Kebede (Ethiopia), Gete Wami (Ethiopia), Hendrick Ramaala (South Africa), Abdullah Ahmad Hassan (Qatar).

The other top-stars would be Hilda Kibet (Netherlands), Tessema Absher (Ethiopia). Total prize money of $210,000 will be shared by the top four runners in both the men’s and women’s categories.

Disi won the 2007 edition event to pocket the top cash prize of $50, 000 dollars while Lineth Chepkirut of Kenya won the women’s category.

Ends