Rwanda athletes disappoint in Puerto Rico

2009 San Blas half marathon 1. James Kwambai (Ken) 1:02:21 2. Samuel Shauri(Tan) 1:02:25 3. Kiplimo Kimutai(Ken) 1:02:44 13.Dieudonne Disi(Rwa) 1:06:37 14.Sylvain Rukundo(Rwa)1:06:37 17. Gervais Hakizimana (Rwa) 1:07:50 Rwanda runners at the San Blas half marathon failed in their attempt to win any of the cash prizes at stake after they finished outside the money-spilling brackets over the weekend in Puerto Rico. The country’s best hope to success relied on Dieudonne Disi but he finished 13th after clocking 1:06:07, the same time as his colleague Sylvain Rukundo who came in 14th position. Another Rwandan competitor Gervais Hakizimana finished 17th by clocking 1:07:50 in a race which was won by Kenya’s James Kwambai in 1:02:21. Disi finished fifth in last year while Rukundo and Hakizimana were making their debuts in this event. Disi, 28, who was using the San Blas half marathon to shape him up for the Lagos Glo-Lagos international half marathon due on February 21 will need to work out harder if he is planning to successfully defend his title in Lagos or take a share of the winner’s package at stake. Competition for the grand prize in the Glo-half marathon is getting more intense as top international athletes jostle to register for the event. World champion Haile Gabresellasie will lead 100 elite international runners to the Glo Lagos International Half Marathon with winners sharing $210,000 and two Kia Picanto cars. Disi won the inaugural event two years ago clocking 1 hour, 3 minutes and 5 seconds and $50.000 in cash prize. Ends

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Rwanda athletes disappoint in Puerto Rico