Elite athletes battle for $35.200 prize money

Today 5km race for fun (Adults)Wheel Chair race (Disabled)-5kmFull Marathon-42 kmHalf Marathon-21KmTeam relay- 4*10.5km AFRICAN and European elite athletes take to the roads of Kigali this morning in the battle for $35.200 prize money of the 6th Kigali international Peace Marathon. It will also be a battle of regional rivals led by Kenyans, Ugandan, Ethiopians and hosts Rwandans. Rwanda quest is led by Sylvain Rukundo, Rashid Safari, Jean Baptista Simuceka and Eric Mazimpaka in the men’s category. Two-time Olympian Epiphanie Nyirabarame leads the ladies’ hunt for silverware. Others in the team include Claudette Mukasakindi and Clementine Nyiraguhirwa. Kenya’s contingent is led by 2008 winner Jacob Kenadgor, Daniel Tanui, Daniel Kiplimo Sammy Kipruto, Kipkemboi Kipsang and David Tuwe. Tanzania has entered 19 athletes led by Ameir Mohammed, Ethiopia has fielded four athletes led by Solomon Negash while Burundi and DRC have entered a combined 12 athletes. Uganda is represented by Simon Rugut Kipngetich.On top of the half and full marathon, athletes will also compete in the team relay category, 5km run for fun race for the adults as well as a 5Km Wheel chair race for the disabled. The winner of the full marathon will pocket $2500 while the tenth will earn $200.The half marathon winner will also pocket $2500. The local athletics federation has staked $1000 for any Rwandan athletes who will beat the existing record of 2:18:06 held by Jacob Kenadgor, the winner for the 2008 edition. Kenyan Olympic medal holder Sam Wanjiru, Benjamin Limo, American Robinson Grant and Dieudonne Disi are set to flag-off the events this morning at Amahoro stadium.Benjamin Limo, American Robinson Grant and Dieudonne Disi graced the 5km AIMS Children race which was conducted yesterday. In last year’s event, no Rwandan finished among the top five in the full marathon race. Nyirabarame is the lone Rwandan who a silver medal in the half marathon race in a time of 1:17:38. Last year, Kenya’s Tabut Benjamin Kipkosgei clocked 2 hours, 21 minutes and 38 seconds to claim the full marathon while Bryton Banuelia of Tanzania set a new record in the women fray after clocking 2 hours, 47minutes and 49. Ends