Athletics federation to organize inaugural 'Kigali Night Run'

Rwanda Athletics Federation (RAF) has confirmed that preparations have reached final stages for the first ever ‘Kigali Night Run set to take place on May 13, as a build-up to the 2016 Kigali International Peace Marathon scheduled for May 22. The event will be organised in partnership with Rwanda Development Board (RDB), the Ministry of Sports and Culture (MINISPOC), City of Kigali and Rwanda National Police. It is open to all the people in Rwandan, including delegates who will be in the country to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) from May 11-13 in Kigali. Speaking to Sunday Sport in an interview, RAF secretary general Johnson Rukundo, revealed that the night course will cover a distance of 3.9km, starting from the Kigali City Hall through the city centre and finish at the Car Free Zone. “This is one of the many pre-event races that we expect to organise in the next editions of Kigali International Marathon and this, in particular, is meant to showcase Kigali as a safe and clean city,” said Rukundo. He further noted that, “WEF delegates will get an opportunity to meet and interact with Rwandan citizens and get a feel of Rwanda.” Registration for participants is ongoing free of charge at MTN service centres at Union Trade Centre UTC, Rubangura building, and Nyarutarama as well as at Petit Stade. The 11th edition of Kigali International marathon is expected to attract 5000 participants from Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, DR Congo, Burundi, Ethiopia, Uganda, South Sudan, Eritrea, Djibouti and outside Africa. The marathon will feature four categories namely; full marathon (42km) and half marathon (21km), fun run (7km) and wheelchair race (7km) For the first time, athletes will use the race to attain the qualification minimum to compete in this year’s Olympic Games which will be held in Rio de Janeiro from August 5-21 in Brazil. editorial@newtimes.co.rw