3^rd International Peace Marathon, Kigali, 13 May 2007

Born from an idea of Mrs Mireille Bastian from the Soroptimist Club Luxembourg Melusina in 2001 and later realised by Mrs Bettina Scholl-Sabbatini from the Soroptimist Club Esch-sur-Alzette, Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg, the International Peace Marathon in Kigali was run for the first time on 15 May 2005. The Soroptimist International of Europe and Rwanda with their project “Femmes Artisanes de la Paix” and the “Association des Amis Luxembourgeois du Marathon de Kigali” (ALMK), together with the Rwandan Ministery for Youth, Sports and Culture are co-organizer of the marathon in Kigali under the high patronage of his Excellency the President of the Republic of Rwanda.

The Soroptimist International project “Femmes Artisanes de la Paix” is particularly well applicable after the terrible genocide in 1994, which destroyed all social cohesion. In his address on the occasion of the International Peace Marathon, the Minister for Youth, Sports and Culture expressed himself: « ... the Rwandan people are determined to construct peace on their territory, the whole region and in the world. Sport is used as one of the driving elements for cohesion and social development. ... The government will strive for a successful International Peace Marathon and ensures that it will take place every year ...»

The course of the marathon of 42.195 km is approved and certified by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) and is run in 4 rounds. The half marathon is run in 2 rounds and the course of the "Run for Fun" has 5 km. The circuit is quite undulating as each round has a variation in level of nearly 350 m. Thousands of spectators are bordering the circuit, supporting all the participants, who often encourage each other when someone looses a bit of speed.

The 2007 edition of the International Peace Marathon was chosen by AIMS for their special Children's Series, where children of the 10-12 years age-range from all over Rwanda were selected by their schools to run the 5 km "Run for Fun" track. This fact gave official and international recognition to the International Peace Marathon, as all marathon runners of the whole world are now aware of the Marathon in Kigali.

During the Marathon run, and until the last participants arrived, traditional, as well as modern, music and dances were continuously performed, only interrupted by applause for the participants crossing the arrival line, even if they still had to run a further lap. All this happened in a pleasing and lively ambience. The closing ceremony ended with the strong moment of the day: A whole lap of the stadium, hand in hand as a sign for peace, with all presidents, ministers, runners, participants and spectators and all led by the military music.

See you ALL at the 4^th International Peace Marathon on 11 May 2008