AFTER skipping the Dubai Marathon due to visa issues, two-time Olympian Epiphanie Nyirabarame has started preparations for next month’s Rome Marathon. Speaking after a light training session at Amahoro stadium yesterday, she said, “I’m back on the track. It was a big disappointment to miss the Dubai Marathon but I’m over that now. I have a new challenge before me and I want to focus on that for now.” Visa hitches majorly due to disorganization in the athletics federation forced Nyirabarame and Felix Ntirenganya to skip last month’s Dubai Marathon. Nyirabarame, who has a personal best of 2:33:59 in the full marathon, still needs to slash it down to 2 hours and 31 minutes to qualify for the London Olympic Games. The Maratona di Roma, which attracts runners from all over the world, has a reputation for its fast, flat, scenic course which passes through the centre of the Italian capital taking in all the famous tourist sites. bonnie.mugabe@newtimes.co.rw
