RAF decry low entry for Peace Marathon

AS the time fast runs down to the anticipated Kigali Peace marathon, the event’s organising committee is encouraging local athletics and other interested people to confirm their interest by registering in time for the competition on Sunday.By press time, 400 athletics that include 30 Kenyans, 250 Rwandans and others from different countries ranging from the United States, Luxembourg to Tanzania and Switzerland had so far registered for the competition.“We need more runners for the event and we are encouraging many Rwandans to take part,” Rwanda Athletics Federation Secretary General Johnson Rukundo, said, adding that the federation is short of Rwf 10m of the Rwf 60m budget needed for the event.“The sports ministry has already given us Rwf 40m and we have so far received Rwf 10m from corporate sponsors but some are yet to get back to us but we certainly hope that by Friday, we will have got a positive feedback,” Rukundo added.Entry fee for marathon and relay marathon runners remains unchanged from last year at $45 (Rwf27, 000) and $25 (Rwf15, 000) for the half marathon. Athletes, who wish to compete in the 5km race for fun will part with $6 (Rwf3, 600).The winner of the full marathon will pocket $2500 (Rwf1.5m) while the tenth will earn $200 (Rwf120, 000). The half marathon winner will also pocket $2500 (Rwf1.5m).Last year‘s marathon winner Felix Karambe Ilpcitirochir has already confirmed participation. The Kigali Peace cup is organized by the Ministry of Sports, Rwanda Athletics Federation and Voyage Soroptimist.