Rwanda’s Emmanuel Mutabazi and Emeline Imanizabayo struck bronze medals in the men and women’s half marathon respectively as Kenyans yet again dominated the podium at the 2024 Kigali International Peace Marathon (KIPM) on Sunday.
The 19th edition, which attracted 10,183 athletes from 35 countries, saw Kenyan runners paraded with nine out of a possible 12 medals which were up for grabs. They were one medal shy of the 2023 edition.
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In the men’s half marathon, Mutabazi claimed the bronze medal after finishing third with 1:04:27. The Police Athletics Club runner trailed Kenya’s Francis Langat, who clocked 1:04:05 to claim gold. Langat’s brother, Leonard Langat struck silver after finishing second clocking 1:04:24 to the finish line at BK Arena.
Meanwhile, Imanizabayo, who plays for Sina Gerard Athletics Club, also made it to the podium as she clinched a bronze medal in the women’s half marathon after clocking 1:14:20.
She followed Kenyans Winfridah Moraa Moseti, who took gold in 1:12:50, and Vivian Cheruiyot, who struck silver after clocking 1:14:01. This was Moseti’s second consecutive victory in the half marathon.
This year’s edition was particularly characterized by remarkably improved performances from Rwandan athletes with seven runners making it into the half marathon (men and women) top 10 and two in the men’s full marathon top 10. They were also back on podium with medals after failing to win a single medal from last year’s edition.
Jeanne Gentille finished fourth in the women’s half marathon, while Florance Niyonkuru and Angelique Ibishatse secured sixth and eighth places, respectively.
In the men’s half marathon, Felicien Muhitira finished fifth, and Victor Ingabire emerged 10th.
In the men’s full marathon, Noel Hitimana finished fifth, 2 minutes and 55 seconds behind Kenyan gold medalist Laban Korir, who clocked 2:16:06. Alexis Nizeyimana finished in the sixth place.
There was no Rwandan female athlete in the women’s full marathon top 10 with Kenyan Joan Kipyatich taking home gold medal after clocking 2:33:27. She overcame stiff competition from Ethiopian Meseret Abebayehu who came second with 2:36:08 while Florence Chepsoi, also Kenyan, struck bronze with a time of 2:39:34.
The overall winners in the full marathon category, the men and women, were awarded $20,000 (over Rwf26 million). The first and second runners-up received $15,000 (over Rwf19.6 million) and $7,500 (over Rwf9.8 million) respectively.
The fourth and fifth-place finishers earned $5,000 (over Rwf6,500,000) and $3,000 (over Rwf3,900,000), while those finishing sixth to eighth were awarded $2,000 (over Rwf2,600,000), $1,500 (over Rwf1,960,000), and $1,000 (over Rwf1,300,000) respectively.
In the half marathon, winners in both men and women categories received $5,000 (over Rwf6,500,000) while the first and second runners-up earned $4,000 (over Rwf5,230,000) and $3,000 (over Rwf3,900,000) respectively. The fourth and fifth finishers took home $2,000 (over Rwf2,600,000), and $1,000 (over Rwf1,300,000).
Runners who emerged sixth to eighth places received $800 (over Rwf1,040,000), $500 (over Rwf654,000), and $400 (over Rwf523,000).
The Kigali International Peace Marathon is organized annually by the Rwanda Athletics Federation (RAF) in partnership with the Ministry of Sports.
The race symbolizes Rwanda&039;s resilience and rebirth following the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and has promoted peace since its inception in 2005.