Korir, Kwamboka shine as Kenyans rule Kigali Peace Marathon

Kenyans dominated the 20th edition of the Kigali International Peace Marathon in Rwanda after taking double wins in the men’s and women’s elite races.

39-year-old Laban Kipngetich Korir emerged winner of the men’s 42km race, clocking 2:18.26 to defend his title from last year.

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The 2014 Toronto Marathon champion finished the race - ran in two loops of 21.1 km each - ahead of fellow Kenyan Langat Kipkirui, who set a personal best 2:19.00, with Ethiopia’s Tadesse Mamo Temechachu wrapping up the podium places clocking 2:21.01.

The women’s race was claimed in emphatic fashion by Kenya’s Teresiah Kwamboka Omosa, who timed a championship record 2:37.12.

The 30-year-old was followed by Ethiopia’s Kebene Chala Urisa, who came second in 2:37:29, while another Kenyan, Ivyne Jeruto Lagat, finished third in a time of 2:38:14.

The Kenyan affair was cemented by Njoroge Derrick Chege, who took the win in the men’s half marathon, timing 1:05.23.

The women’s half-distance was however won by Rwanda’s own Florence Niyonkuru, who won in a time of 1:13:57.

The race, starting and ending at the BK Arena, was first held on 15 May 2005, with an aim to promote development of peace through sports.

It was in 2004, during the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide a decade earlier, that Soroptimist International decided to organize the event, which also incorporates a a 10 km Fun Run for Peace, and is open to those using wheelchairs.

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This year’s Kigali marathon attracted more than 10,000 participants from 35 countries and regions, where over 1,836 took part in the half-marathon, over 1,314 in the full marathon, and over 5,450 in the run for peace, according to organizers.