Kigali Marathon attracts 3247

Kenya’s Micah Kipserem hopes to go two steps better in today’s Kigali International Peace Marathon. Kipserem finished third in last year’s full marathon but clearly wants the top prize (US$2000) this time round. Felix Ntirenganya, Fred Twahirwa and Eric Mpazimpaka are some of Rwanda’s athletes set to challenge the Kenyan. Rwanda’s Disi Dieudonne will also have to dig deep in the half-marathon category. The country’s ace athlete is in for a stiff test from last year’s winner Martin Sulle who hails from Tanzania. Disi is leading a strong Rwandan legion that also has the likes of Sylvain Rukundo, Philip Mugwiza and Jean Baptist Mugwiza. This year’s marathon, with over 3247 athletes is divided into four categories; the full marathon (42km), half marathon (21km), 4*4 relay marathon (15km) and run for fun (5km). Two-time Olympian Epiphanie Nyirabarame will lead the country’s charge in the women full marathon. Athletes will traverse from Amahoro stadium, Chez Lando hotel, Parliament, Green hills Nyarutarama and back to the stadium four times in the marathon. In the half-marathon, runners will negotiate that route twice. Full marathon winners in both categories get to pocket $2,000 while the first and second runners-up walk away with $1,500 and $1,200 respectively. Ends