Locals ready to shine in Kigali Peace marathon

After seven years of Kenyan dominance in the Kigali Peace Marathon, Rwandan athletes now want to change the tide as the biggest athletics competition in the country gets underway this morning.Robert Kajuga, who finished second in last year’s half marathon, Jean Marie Mvuyekure (full marathon) and Epiphanie Nyirabarame will lead Rwanda’s quest in the event that has attracted 700 runners from over nine countries.“We have trained hard in the last couple of weeks in anticipation for tough competition in the race. We are determined to out on great show,” Kajuga told Sunday Sport after yesterday’s training session at Amahoro stadium.The competition’s organising committee has promised a good race, which comes even before the dust settles on the chaos that followed last year’s event in which the then athletics federation’s officials were accused of embezzling up to Rwf38 million meant for organisation. They were all forced to relinquish power.The marathon is divided into five categories; full marathon (42km), half marathon (21km), 10.54km marathon team relays, 5km course for children and 5km run for fun race.Last year‘s marathon winner Felix Karambe Ilpcitirochir has already confirmed participation. The Kigali Peace marathon is organised by Rwanda Athletics Federation and Voyage Soroptimist and funded by the Ministry of Sports and Culture.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).