CLAUDETTE Mukasakindi is expected to race in tonight’s 10,000m race at the 5th CISM World Military Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

With a personal best of 35:32.60, she has to step it up against the likes of Gladys Kibiwot (Bahrain) Morocco’s Kamch Zhor, Rasa Drazdauskaite from Lithuania and the Kenyan pair of Doris Changeiywo and Lineth Chepkurui.

Other contestants include Prundus Mihaela, Ilsida Toemere, Ben Amor Amira from Tunisia and USA’s Calway Kelly.

Without a doubt, Kenya’s Changeiywo is favourite  to win the race following her commendable display in last year’s World Cross Country Championship were she finished 5th.

After today’s 10,000m, Mukasakindi will return to the track on Friday when she competes in the 5000m.

Eric Sebahire will also compete in the men’s 5000m race.

On Sunday, Rwanda’s two-time Olympian Epiphanie Nyirabarame could only finish sixth in the women’s full marathon.

The trio is using the games to prepare for September’s All Africa Games in Maputo and next month’s London Olympic Games.

Till date, Dieudonne Disi remains the only athlete to secure a podium slot at the games. In 2004, the then 24-year-old scooped a silver medal in the cross country championship.

About 4,900 athletes are competing in the games.

Ends