Two Rwandan Marathon runners have landed invitations to take part in this year’s prestigious MTN Kampala International Marathon race due on December 9.

The Rwanda Athletics body Technical Director; Emmanuel Murenzi revealed to Times Sport that Rwanda was invited by their Ugandan counterparts to raise two runners who will take part in the one-day international marathon race.

"We have been invited but we have not yet decided on the possible athletes who will take part in the event. We hope to name the two-man team for the marathon race before the end of this month,”

"We have many marathon runners in the country but we want to rely on those capable of qualifying for next year’s Olympic Games,” Murenzi said.

Murenzi further added that they ought to select capable athletes for the IAAF event. Recently, one of the top marathon runners, Felix Ntirenganya expressed his desire to participate in the event but he is yet to get a nod from the local athletics body.

Rwanda is among the five countries which have been invited to be part of the upcoming MTN Kampala International marathon race.

Other countries including Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Djibouti. However unlike other countries, Djibouti will provide one competitor.

According to the organisers, Uganda Athletics Federation, all the invited countries will be fully accommodated. However, other foreign athletes are expected to take part in the event but they will not be accommodated by the organisers.

Kenyan Isaiah Kosgei set a new course record of 2:18.08 to claim last year’s full marathon (42km) title. Uganda’s Amos Masai was second with 2:18:42 while Rwanda failed  to feature in the top ten positions.

The proceeds from this year’s Kampala International Marathon race will go to Red Cross, Mama big and Return Kit Project respectively.

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