More than 6,000 professional athletes and amateurs from Rwanda, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Eritrea, among other nationalities, gathered in Kigali for the annual Kigali International Peace Marathon on Sunday. The event, which has three categories: the full marathon, half marathon, and Run for Peace, aims to promote peace amid ongoing conflicts worldwide and symbolizes Rwanda’s rebirth after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

The marathon is organized annually by the Rwanda Athletics Federation in partnership with the Ministry of Sports. This year, the athletes will follow an itinerary from BK Arena-Chez-Lando-Gishushu-MTN to Nyarutarama to Humps, KG290st-KCC-Ninzi hills, Minagri-KABC-Ombudsman, KG4Ave-Primature Roundabout-Ombudsman, KCC-RBC-KCC service gate-Chez Lando, Rwahama-Simba Kimironko, and back to Controle Technique and BK Arena – all roads along the route will be closed.

This year’s marathon participants can expect even more significant rewards compared to last year, with overall winners of the full marathon in both male and female categories now receiving $20,000, which is over Rwf22 million, up from the previous year’s $4,000, which was equivalent to Rwf4,000,000. The first and second runners-up for male and female participants will take home $15,000 (over Rwf16,800,000) and $7,500 (over Rwf8,500,000), respectively, which is also higher than last year’s rewards.

Rwandan athletes to watch for include Adeline Musabyeyezu, who won gold in the middle-distance event during a previous edition, Martha Yankurije, the winner of the 2021 half marathon competition, and Robert Kajuga, a former summer Olympian who won bronze in the 2022 edition.

The marathon began at 8 AM for the half and full marathon categories and 8:50 AM for the Run for Peace category, with both the beginning and end lines set up at BK Arena, where winners were awarded. The increase in prize money is expected to make this year’s edition more competitive.