Kajuga targets to win Kigali half marathon

RWANDA’S leading middle distance athlete Robert Kajuga is optimistic on staging a conquering performance when the ninth edition of the Kigali Peace Marathon sets off today at Amahoro National Stadium. Speaking to Sunday Sport on Friday, Kajuga said, I have done thorough training for the race keeping in mind that I want to win this year’s half marathon title. “We have not trained as a team but I have done personal preparations and I am happy with my form because after the World cross country championship in Poland in March, I came back and went straight into training in the Northern Province,” noted Rwanda’s star performer at the 2012 London Olympic Games in the 10,000m. He added, “I am well aware that it won’t be easy but I devoted my time in training to try and win the half marathon and end the Kenyan dominance.” Kajuga will also be using the race to prepare for the World Athletics Championships which will be held in Moscow, Russia in August. In the past editions, Rwandan runners have performed poorly compared to their East African colleagues due to poor preparation. Despite having 13 athletics clubs in the country: APR, Police, New Athletics Stars, Kamonyi, Gatenga, Puma, Gasabo, UNR, Kirehe, Nyamasheke, Ruhango, Huye, and Muhanga, there are no coaches to assist in the development of athletes. Besides Kajuga, Felix Ntirenganya and Cyriaque Ndayikengurukiye, Eric Sebahire and Jean Baptiste Simukeka are the other Rwandan athletes to watch in both half and full marathon respectively. Apart from the full and half marathon, there will also be the 5km run for fun. This one is for the amateurs. The winner of the full marathon will walk away with US$3,000, while the silver and bronze medalists will receive US$ 2,500 and US$1,500 respectively. Last year, out of the 20 runners, who made up the top five of both the full and half marathons for men and women, 17 were Kenyans. Only Kajuga managed to do Rwanda proud, clinching a bronze medal in the half marathon. He was only one of two non-Kenyans to get onto the podium in the four categories, with Tanzanian Joan Fabiora also winning bronze in the women full marathon. The best Rwandan woman was Amie Niyhyirembere, who finished fourth in the women’s half marathon. As part of the day’s programme, a Peace Torch will be lit at Gisozi Memorial Site and taken to Amahoro Stadium by delegates and athletes from all the participating countries.