KIGALI INTERNATIONAL PEACE MARATHON AWARDED A WORLD ATHLETICS LABEL FOR 2022
Introduction
The Kigali International Peace Marathon is an annual running competition over the marathon and half marathon distances usually held in the 3rd week of May in KIGALI. First held in 2005, the event has been organized by Rwanda Athletics Federation in partnership with Ministry of Sports, under the patronage of His Excellence Paul KAGAME, The President of the Republic of Rwanda. Soroptimist International has been part of the organization for the first 10 editions .
The event expanded and included a popular run for Peace of 10km (not competitive) along with the main race on the same day and since 2017, the Kigali Night Run was introduced, a fun event of running a distance of 5.5 km in the City of Kigali at night, and this one takes place a week before the main races.
Race Course
The half marathon lengh is one loop of 21.098 metres and is certified by Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) , the full marathon lengh is on a two loops of 42.196.00 metres also certified by AIMS. Both races starts on KG 17 Avenue at edge of zebra crossing outside of the spectacular Kigali Arena, a magnificent sports and events facility located right out side of the Amahoro National Stadium. The races heads southward, the course runs predominantly on dual carriage way, each side separated by a concrete centre divide approx. 30 inches high. the full width of the appropriate side of the carriageway is available to runners.
Only a portion of the course (the full length of KG 9 Ave (2.9 kms) and 200 metres of KG 11 Ave) runs on a road with traffic in both directions. In these instances, the runners are restricted to the right-hand side of the road (the side used by normal everyday traffic) enforced by placement of barriers for the duration of the restriction. With barriers in place the full width of the right side of the road is available to runners. The segment on Nyarutarama road (from RDB to Nyarutarama – Kabuga inter section) is devided into two parts separeted by barricades. Coming from there, runners head right southward, wandering through the roads around the spectacular Kigali Convention Center (the leading conference venue in the region and a landmark on the city landscape, with its dome-shape exterior, akin to a traditional Rwandan king’s palace). The course then hits a turnaround point at Kimihurura park (KG 1 Round about) and heads back to Remera and Kimironko.
The Finish line is the same line as the start line, finishers of Half Marathon are diverted to cross on the left hand side – in the layby. The Full marathon runners can pass on the right hand side of the line to commence a 2nd 21.098 km loop
International recognition
The course was first measured by the late John Verzian ; who was World Athletics /AIMS certified grade A course measurer in 2014, from 2015 the race has received its international recognition and was added on International calendar of marathons. Following the international rules, the course was re-measured again in 2020 by Michael Hughes, the World Athletics/ AIMS course measurer. Within its different editions KIPM attracted various participants, Nationals and Internationals .
World Athletics label
The Kigali International Peace Marathon 2022 was awarded a World Athletics Label after the positive assessment done by World Athletics on the previous editions’ organisations and how it’s organization meet detailled criterias and requirements specifically the respect of competition technical rules, the anti-doping rules, medical guidelines, timing system and results production.
Meaning of being awarded a World Athletics label road race
The World Athletics Label Road Races programme gathers the world’s leading races
A World Athletics Label denotes high standards in event organisation, safety and runner experience, application of the World Athletics Rules and Regulations and in particularly the Competition and Technical Rules, support from public authorities to the event and a financial commitment to anti-doping. The Labels also categorise elite competitions, with implications on ranking points available to international elite athletes, and Olympics and World Championships qualification slots offered by the highest-categorised competitions.
Kigali International Peace Marathon will benefits from International exposure as a World Athletics Label Race, and this attract so many international elite athletes to the race. The Labels also categorise the best elite races, giving athletes, fans and media guidance towards the world’s finest competitions. For events with a mass participation component like KIPM, Labels also signify superior standards in safety and runner experience.
This is a milestone for the Kigali International Peace Marathon in the global road racing community; It’s a stepping-stone towards excellent future events, when the event will have an even more coherent structure of organization, with better defined tiers to guide fans and athletes, and with integrity measures that are proportionate to the level of the competition.
Lt. Col (Rtd) Lemuel KAYUMBA
President
Rwanda Athletics Federation
