Over 8000 participants, local and internationals, are expected to grace the 13th edition of Kigali International Peace Marathon 2021, the Athletics governing body (RAF) has said.

The race is scheduled to take place on June 20.

The annual marathon comes at a time Rwanda, and the rest of the world, is battling the covid-19 pandemic which saw last year’s edition cancelled after the government halted all sporting events since the first case  was reported in the country in March last year.

While launching this year’s edition on Friday, April 16, RAF President, Fidele Mubiligi told the media that the race will take place in adherence to covid-19 prevention protocols.  

"We are hoping that the Peace Marathon will finally take place but we are working hand-in-hand with our stakeholders in the health sector to see how participants can successfully compete in a way that risks spreading covid-19,” Mubiligi said.

"We are looking forward to hosting a successful event despite all the hurdles that the pandemic continues to bring,” he added.

The Kigali International Peace Marathon 2021 will happen a day before the 2021 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, also known as CHOGM, kicks off in Kigali and Mubiligi said that delegates can also register to participate in the race whose prizes will be contested for in three categories namely Marathon, half-marathon and Run for Peace.

A 5 kilometre night run is also on the agenda and will take place a week before the main race.

Registration is ongoing online via RAF’s website until June 13, a week before the race.

To enter the race, foreign athletes will pay $30, $10 for EAC participants and Rwf 5000 for locals.