The Kenyan trio of Kenfagor, Kiplimo, Kipserem made a clean sweep of the top spots in the Kigali International Peace Marathon held yesterday.

Jacob Kenfagor clocked 2: 18: 06 to win $ 2000 as the top cash prize staked for the 4th edition of the International Peace Marathon.

Kenfagor led a 1-2-3 Kenyan finish to keep Kenya’s good record in the event.

Kenfagor who was in the leading pack the entire race, arrived 30 seconds ahead of his fellow countryman Maisei Kiplimo who clocked 2:18:36 to bag $1500.

Another Kenyan Micah Kipserem finished third clocking 2:21:58 pocketing $1200(approx. Frw. 0.67m) worth of cash prize.

Sports Minister Joseph Habineza flagged off the event, whose 42.194 Kms race, started at Amahoro Stadium to Nyarutarama, via Chez Lando, MTN-Centre and back. Participants went through the same route four times-as half of the road was coiled off.

The event also drew participation in the half-marathon and the Run for Fun categories in both female and male classes.

Felicien Sekanyama was the best Rwandan in the males’ Marathon category, arriving in a 7th overall position

Kenyans were also impressive in the women’s marathon race, taking the first three slots, with Risper Kimaiyo crossing the finishing line after 2:55:22. Lydia Rutto (2:55:27) and Jennifer Lotoyo (2:58:18) crossed the line in third position.

Tanzania’s Martin Sulle and Rwanda’s Angelline Nyiransabimana won the men and women’s half-marathon respectively, ahead of Sammy Limo and Hellen Waithira of Kenya.

Felix Ntirenganya who ruled out participating in the full marathon was the best ranked Rwandan athlete as he finished in 8th overall position.

The first top ten finishers in each of the marathon and half categories, took home cash prizes.

The Kigali International Marathon was fully supported by Rwanda President, Paul Kagame and sponsored by Ministry of Culture and Sport, Rwanda National Olympic Committee, Soroptimist International and Rwanda’s tourism body ORTPN as well as Sulfo Rwanda to a total tune of Frw. 32 millions.

1. J. Kenfagor (KEN) 2:18:06

2. M.Kiplimo (KEN) 2:18:36

3. M.Kipserem (KEN) 2:21:58

1. R. Kimaiyo (KEN) 2:55:22

2. L.Rutto (KEN) 2:55:27

3. J. Lotoyo (KEN) 2:58:18

1. M.Sulle (TZ) 1:04:21

2. S. Limo (KEN) 1:04:31

3. M.Torotich (UGA) 1:05:27

1. A. Nyiransabimana (RWA) 1:16:16

2. H. Waithira (KEN) 1:17:49

3. S.Kiplagat (KEN) 1:19:32

Ends