Dieudonne Disi is undergoing intensive preparations ahead of the MTN half marathon race slated for December 8 in Lagos, Nigeria.

Rwanda's leading long distance runner told Times Sport by telephone that he is putting his concentration on the forthcoming half marathon race in Nigeria.

"I am training for the Nigeria half marathon race, days after failing to take part in the cross championship in (Soria) Spain last month.

"I had other commitments with my sponsors Puma, so it was not possible for me to take part in that competition but now am focusing on the Nigeria race in Lagos,” Disi said.

The 27-year-old finished third at last year’s edition but he has vowed to do a lot better this time round and possibly finish in the first two.

Disi finished the European road race season with a victory in the Delhi half-marathon in India in October.

The 10000m, 5000m and half-marathon national record holder has set his sight on winning a medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games before retiring from the national team.

He became the first Rwandan athletes to qualify for the Olympic Games with his time of 27:22:23 in 10.000m at the Memorial Van Damme race held in Belgium, which also helped him surpass the minimum required standard 'A' time (for the Games) 27:50.00.

He also produced another stunning performance in Udine, Italy during the World road running championship where he finished sixth in 59:32.

Kenyan internationals Francis Kibiwott and Solomon Busiendich won the first two accolades of the event with Disi finishing third last year respectively.

Telecoms firm, Globalcom has promised to make this year’s lagos international half marathon with $ 210000(Frw.114.450.000) prize money a world tournament.

Ends