Kenyans sweep Kigali peace marathon

Kenyans swept the titles of the 11th edition of the Kigali International Peace Marathon on Sunday in both men and women categories.

Kenya's Ezekial Omullo Kemboi (2:18:15) finished 48 seconds ahead of Rwanda's long distance runner Jean Baptiste Ruvubi who emerged second.

Benard Kipngetich also Kenyan clocked 2:19:27 to finish in third place.

In the women category, Kenya's Peris Jerotich Toroitich (2:47:22) won the gold medal while Elisabether Chemwno (2:47:59) and Shelmith Nyawira Muriuki (2:50:18) finished second and third respectively.

Rwanda's Jeanviere Musabimana clocked 2:56:40 to finish fourth to become the country's best female performer in the 42km race.

The men's half marathon was also dominated by Kenyans.

Wycliffe Kipkorir Biwot (1:04:40) won the race followed by Naillel Anisomuk Hoseya (1:04:55) and in third position was Rwanda's Eric Sebahire (1:04:58) and Felicien Muhitira (1:05:16) fourth in the 21km half marathon.

The half marathon women category was also dominated by Kenyans.

Gladys Pkemoi (Kenya) won in 1:12:39, and was followed by Rose Chelimo 1:13:38, Nancy Kimaiyo Chepngetich 1:14:12 and Salome Nyirarukundo (Rwanda fourth) 1:14:51.

The winners of the full marathon walked away with 2,300 U.S. dollars with the runners up getting 1,700 U.S. dollars while the winners of the half marathon received 1,430 U.S. dollars while runners up bagged 1,000 U.S. dollars.

Rwanda's Ruvubi said he was more than excited about his achievement.

"It didn't come easy," he said, "but I was confident that I can make it - at the 35km mark, my fans cheered me to continue and indeed I overtook three competitors who were ahead of me with 5km to go."

"I am glad I emerged second." Endi