Team Rwanda’s athletes are poised to defy odds and make their mark at the forthcoming 19th edition of the Kigali International Peace Marathon scheduled for Sunday, June 9.

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Rwanda athletics national team coach Eric Karasira confidently asserts that his athletes are only aiming for medals and better the unimpressive performance during the 2023 edition where no Rwanda athlete managed to win a single medal despite competing on their home soil.

The race podium was widely dominated by Kenyans who took home 11 of the 12 medals that were up for grabs. Only one Ethiopian managed a medal in the half marathon.

The team, consisting of nine men and five women, will compete in the men’s half marathon, men’s full marathon, and women’s half marathon.

They began their intensive residential training camp on May 24 at Hilltop Hotel in Remera,. Kigali.

"We are all in good shape; players, staff, everyone is fit. Our ambition is always to win, even though sometimes the outcome is different,” said Coach Karasira.

Karasira admitted, "last year, we didn’t perform well,” but "with the thorough preparations we’ve had this time, we expect a different result.”

Men’s team captain, Gilbert Dushimirimana, echoed his coach’s optimism, and said, "We are strong this year and we promise Rwandans a victory. We will give our all.”

"We are almost 90% prepared; the remaining 10% is mental preparation, but we are ready to go,” he added.

On the women’s side, APR and Rwanda captain, Emeline Imanizabayo, vowed to raise the Rwandan flag high.

"We are ready to fight for our country and to see our flag fly high in this competition. We ask Rwandans to support us. We have no plan to disappoint them,” she said.

With three days to go, an estimated 7,000 participants have registered for the highly anticipated one-day race in half marathon, full marathon and Run for Peace, a category that goes in line with the racing event’s them to promote peace in Rwanda and beyond.

Organized annually by the Rwanda Athletics Federation (RAF) in partnership with the Ministry of Sports, the Kigali International Peace Marathon symbolizes the resilience of Rwanda's rebirth following the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Since its inception in 2005, the marathon has embraced the noble cause of promoting peace amid ongoing conflicts worldwide.