Rwandan athletics stars Florence Niyonkuru and Emeline Imanizabayo have been omitted of the nationwide squad for the upcoming 2026 Kigali Worldwide Peace Marathon scheduled for June 13–14.
In keeping with Rwanda Athletics Federation (RAF) Technical Director Peter Ndacyayisenga, the 2 athletes withdrew from the competitors with a view to concentrate on preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Video games, set to happen from July 23 to August 2 in Glasgow, Scotland.
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“Each athletes weren’t chosen as a result of they’ve already begun an intensive two-month preparation programme concentrating on a doable historic medal on the upcoming 2026 Commonwealth Video games,” Ndacyayisenga defined.
Niyonkuru’s absence means she won’t defend the ladies’s half-marathon title she received throughout the 2025 version of the Kigali Worldwide Peace Marathon.
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There have been additionally excessive expectations surrounding Imanizabayo, who has loved a powerful 2026 season on the monitor, profitable a number of medals, together with two gold medals on the African Athletics Championships in Accra, Ghana.
The 2026 Kigali Worldwide Peace Marathon is anticipated to as soon as once more entice elite runners from internationally competing within the males’s and ladies’s full marathon, half-marathon, and Run for Peace classes throughout the two-day occasion in Kigali.
Remaining squad
Half Marathon
Males: Nizeyimana, Emmanuel Nkurunziza, Nzayisenga, Pacifique Niwentwari, Ismael Ntivuguruzwa, Victor Ingabire and Yves Nimubona.
Girls: Devotha Byukusenge, Thabita Tuyambaze, Theogene Uwiduhaye and Angelique Ibishatse.
Full marathon
Males: Felicien Muhitira, Primier Manirafasha and Noel Hitimana.
