{"id":44514,"date":"2023-06-12T15:44:53","date_gmt":"2023-06-12T15:44:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/all-news\/kenyans-dominate-2023-peace-marathon-as-rwandans-struggle"},"modified":"2023-06-12T16:14:23","modified_gmt":"2023-06-12T16:14:23","slug":"kenyans-dominate-2023-peace-marathon-as-rwandans-struggle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/sport\/kenyans-dominate-2023-peace-marathon-as-rwandans-struggle","title":{"rendered":"Kenyans dominate 2023 Peace Marathon as Rwandans struggle"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Rwanda. <\/strong><\/span>Kenyan runners dominated the just-concluded 18th edition of Kigali International Peace Marathon held Sunday, June 11, bagging 10 medals out of a possible 12, as Rwandan representatives struggled to win any of the medals.<\/p>\n

Marthe Yankurije, who plays for Rwamagana Athletics Club, was the only Rwandan who managed to take home a cash prize in the running race, after finishing seventh in the women\u2019s half marathon, clocking 1:15:42 in the process.<\/p>\n

Kenyan Winfridah Moseti Moraa struck gold in the women’s half marathon after crossing the finish line at BK Arena first clocking 1:12:40. She was followed by fellow Kenyans Lilian Jepkemboi Lelei and Susan Chambai Aramisi who bagged silver and bronze medals respectively.<\/p>\n

George Onyancha Nyamori is another Kenyan who struck gold in the men’s full Marathon (42.196km) after clocking 2:17:41. The Kenyan finished 30 seconds ahead of countryman Silas Kiprotich who won silver while David Kipkorir, also Kenyan, completed the podium with a bronze medal after clocking 2:18:43.<\/p>\n

Just like men\u2019s full marathon, Kenyans also dominated in men\u2019s half marathon, winning all medals from each of the categories that were there to contest for.<\/p>\n

Kennedy Kipyeko won the men\u2019s half marathon after clocking 1:03:52. He took gold away from second-placed countryman John Mburu Muiruri who clocked 1:03:54 while Evans Kipkoriri completed the top three with a bronze medal after racing the 21.095km in 1:04:12. Only Kenyans came in the top eight rankings.<\/p>\n

Ethiopians Tsega Muluha and Ethiopian Jemal Amid Foyza are the only non-Kenyans who managed to win medals at the 2023 Peace Marathon.<\/p>\n

Muluha won the women\u2019s full marathon in 2:35:17 while his fellow Foyza won bronze after clocking 2:37:14. Kenyan Sharon Charop Jemutai emerged first runner-up after covering the full marathon distance in 2:36:05 to strike silver.<\/p>\n

Over 10,000 participants from 48 different countries including Rwanda contested in three categories namely full Marathon (42.197km), Half Marathon (21.097 km) and Run for Peace which is 10 km long.<\/p>\n

It was, however, not a performance that Rwandan athletes were anticipating, after failing to win a single medal from both half and full marathon.<\/p>\n

Fe\u0301licien Muhitira was one of Rwanda\u2019s highest ranked athletes in the men\u2019s half marathon although he finished out of the top 10.<\/p>\n

Muhitira admitted that the Kenyans were far better than him and his fellow Rwandans despite giving their all till the finish line.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe prepared well for this tournament. We spent over a month in a camp but, frankly speaking, this wasn\u2019t the result we were expecting today,\u201d he told Times Sport.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery participant tends to win or make it to the podium but it was too difficult to achieve it today. Kenyans were fantastic as always. We still have a lot to do to reach there. We have to accept that hard truth and learn from them,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Women\u2019s half marathon seventh ranked Yankurije echoed Muhitira\u2019s comments but refused to give any excuses to defend their poor performances despite competing on home soil.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe didn\u2019t do well and I don\u2019t think we have a reason to complain. We have to move on, this is our level, the tournament has grown, many professionals are attending so it is difficult for us to win but we will try to learn from this experience,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

The overall winners in the full marathon, in both male and female categories, will bagged $20,000 (over Rwf22 million).<\/p>\n

The first and second runners-up took home $15,000 (over Rwf16,800,000 million) and $7,500 (over Rwf8,500,000) respectively. The fourth and fifth-ranked athlete took home $5,000 (over Rwf 5,600,000) and $3,000 (over Rwf 3,400,000) respectively while the sixth, seventh and eighth ranked athletes pocketed $2,000 (over Rwf2,200,000), $1,500 (over Rwf1,600,000) and $1,000 (over Rwf1,100,000) respectively.<\/p>\n

Winners of the half marathon, both male and female categories, bagged $5,000 (over Rwf 5,600,000) as the top prize while the first and second runners-up pocketed $4,000 (over Rwf4,500,000) and $3000 (over Rwf3,400,000) respectively.<\/p>\n

The fourth and fifth finishers were rewarded $2,000 (over Rwf2,200,000), and $1,000 (over Rwf1,100,000) and the sixth, seventh and eighth ranked athletes walked away with $800 (over Rwf800,000), $500 (over Rwf500,000) and $400 (over Rwf400,000).<\/p>\n

The Peace Marathon, which is in its 18th edition, is organised annually by Rwanda Athletics Federation in partnership with the Ministry of Sports.<\/p>\n

The race symbolizes the resilience of Rwanda’s rebirth after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and it has, since its inception in 2005, embraced the noble cause of promoting peace amid ongoing conflicts worldwide.<\/p>\n

Sports Minister Aurore Mimosa Munyangaju and City of Kigali Mayor Pudence Rubingisa were among top government officials who graced the event which attracted over 10,000 participants.<\/p>\n

They participated in the Run for Peace category.<\/p>\n

Over 6000 runners participated at the 2023 Kigali International Peace Marathon<\/p>\n

Minister of Sports Aurore Mimosa Munyagaju (C) flanked by Sandrine Umutoni (left) Director General at Imbuto Foundation and Michaella Rugwizangoga (R) during the run for peace exercise<\/p>\n

The overall winners in the full marathon, in both male and female categories, will bagged $20,000 (over Rwf22 million).<\/p>\n\r\n