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Articles tagged #Felicien Muhitira
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Race organizers for the Valencia Marathon have announced the elite fields for the 2024 edition of the race on Dec. 1.
The field is headlined by 2024 Boston Marathon champion Sisay Lemma returning from injury after withdrawing from the Paris Olympics. He will be challenged by his compatriot and all-time great Kenenisa Bekele, who finished second in April’s London Marathon and 39th at the Paris Olympics at 42 years old.
Kenya’s Sebastian Sawe, who boasts a half marathon personal best of 58:05, and Daniel Mateiko, who has also run 58:17 for the half, are the most intriguing debutants.
On the women’s side, 2023 World champion Amane Beriso headlines the field with her 2:14:58 personal best from the 2022 Valencia Marathon, which puts her at No. 6 on the all-time list. Her fellow countrywomen Megertu Alemu (2:16:34) and Hiwot Gebrekidan (2:17:59) are the only two other women under 2:18.
American Sara Hall will be running her fourth marathon of the year. Biya Simbassa, who has a personal best of 2:10:34 and was 11th at the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in February, is heading to Spain for his third career marathon.
Here’s a list of the notable men who are running…
Men’s Elite Field
Kenenisa Bekele – 2:01:41
Sisay Lemma – 2:01:48
Birhanu Legese – 2:02:48
Deresa Geleta – 2:03:27
Guye Adola – 2:03:46
Gashau Ayale – 2:04:53
Tadesse Abraham – 2:05:01
Alphonce Simbu – 2:05:39
Sondre Moen – 2:05:48
Samwel Fitwi – 2:06:27
Andamlak Belihu – 2:06:40
Maru Teferi – 2:06:43
Shokhrukh Davlyatov – 2:07:02
Richard Ringer – 2:07:05
Zerei Kbrom – 2:07:10
Iliass Aouani – 2:07:16
Samuel Barata – 2:07:35
Héctor Garibay – 2:07:44
Ibrahim Chakir – 2:07:48
Mohamed El Talhaoui – 2:08:03
Peiyou Feng – 2:08:07
Dani Mateo – 2:08:22
Lahsene Bouchikhi – 2:08:36
Abderrazak Charik – 2:08:37
Andy Buchanan – 2:08:58
Weldu Negash Gebretsadik – 2:09:14
Therence Bizoza – 2:09:18
Yohan Durand – 2:09:21
Mohamed Chaaboud – 2:09:21
Simon Boch – 2:09:25
Yimer Getahun – 2:09:27
Bukayawe Malede – 2:09:28
Emmanuel Roudolff – 2:09:34
Yohanes Chiappinelli – 2:09:46
Stephen Scullion – 2:09:49
Paulo Paula – 2:09:50
Peter Herzog – 2:10:06
Bart van Nunen – 2:10:16
Felicien Muhitira – 2:10:17
Dieter Kersten – 2:10:22
Arkadiusz Gardielewski – 2:10:31
Bjorn Koreman – 2:10:32
Abbabiya Simbassa – 2:10:34
Hicham Sigueni – 2:10:37
Johannes Motschmann – 2:10:39
Patricio Castillo – 2:10:40
Jorge Blanco Alvarez – 2:10:49
Archie Casteel – 2:10:49
Yongzheng Huang – 2:10:49
Jakoub Labquira – 2:10:50
Alejandro Jiménez – 2:10:54
Juan Luis Barrios – 2:10:55
Thijs Nijhuis – 2:10:57
Iraitz Arrospide – 2:10:59
Christian Zamora – 2:11:02
Nicolás Cuestas – 2:11:03
Edward Cheserek – 2:11:07
Kamil Jastrzebski – 2:11:09
Necho Tayachew – 2:11:21
Richard Douma – 2:11:21
Linus Rosdahl – 2:11:30
Mohamed El Ghazouany – 2:11:48
Thomas do Canto – 2:11:51
Hesiquio Flores – 2:11:57
Ahmed Elhassouni – 2:12:12
René Cunéaz – 2:12:48
Mario Bauernfeind – 2:12:49
Patrik Wageli – 2:12:58
Jason Pointeau – 2:13:00
Adam Lipschitz – 2:13:01
Joris Keppens – 2:13:18
Alexis Godefroy – 2:13:32
Pierre Denays – 2:13:34
Sebastian Sawe – Debut
Daniel Mateiko – Debut
Matthew Kimeli – Debut
Dillon Maggard – Debut
Here’s a list of the notable women who are running…
Amane Beriso – 2:14:58
Megertu Alemu – 2:16:34
Hiwot Gebrekidan – 2:17:59
Tiruye Mesfin – 2:18:47
Stella Chesang – 2:20:23
Sara Hall – 2:20:32
Majida Maayouf – 2:21:27
Evaline Chirchir – 2:22:11
Chimdesa Kumsa – 2:22:13
Isobel Batt-Doyle – 2:23:27
Malindi Elmore – 2:23:30
Sofia Assefa – 2:23:33
Fionnuala McCormack – 2:23:58
Jessica Stenson – 2:24:01
Gerda Steyn – 2:24:03
Laura Hottenrott – 2:24:32
Camilla Richardsson – 2:24:38
Kaoutar Boulaid – 2:25:03
Clara Evans – 2:25:04
Fatima Azzaharaa Ouhaddou – 2:25:30
Laura Luengo – 2:25:35
Susana Santos – 2:25:35
Moira Stewartova – 2:25:36
Marie Perrier – 2:26:19
Tereza Hrochová – 2:26:38
Zhanna Mamazhanova – 2:26:42
Aleksandra Brzezinska – 2:27:20
Solange Jesus – 2:27:30
Paola Bonilla – 2:27:38
Nora Szabo – 2:28:25
Jane Bareikis – 2:29:00
Becky Briggs – 2:29:06
Alice Wright – 2:29:08
Roberta Groner – 2:29:09
Molly Gravill – 2:29:45
Monika Jackiewicz – 2:29:51
Event organizers announced the race will move forward as scheduled despite severe flooding and more than 200 deaths in the Valencia province. In a statement, organizers announced fundraising plans to aid the city and those affected by the recent storms and flooding.
(11/19/2024) Views: 98 ⚡AMPThe Trinidad Alfonso EDP Valencia Marathon is held annually in the historic city of Valencia which, with its entirely flat circuit and perfect November temperature, averaging between 12-17 degrees, represents the ideal setting for hosting such a long-distance sporting challenge. This, coupled with the most incomparable of settings, makes the Valencia Marathon, Valencia, one of the most important events in...
more...Rwanda's Félicien Muhitira, 29-year-old athlete crossed the finish line after 1:01:42 of effort. Clémence Calvin won the women's race in 1:13:32.
Arriving limping after only an hour of effort (1h01'42"), the Rwandan won the 45th edition of Marseille-Cassis on Sunday morning. After 20km, the athlete kissed his shoes on the finish line to pay tribute to the Burundian Gervais Hakizimana who died in February who had given him his pair. "I was very focused today. It's a good victory," the winner reacted emotionally to France 3.
The second in the men's race, the Moroccan Youssef Benhadi had more difficulty when it came to finishing his effort as he was taken care of by the emergency services. The Frenchman Félix Bour completed the podium in the men's race. "I lacked freshness. I did three races in a row this month, I thought it would be enough but the Gineste is not forgiving! The defeat is bitter, I came for the victory but a podium is not to be refused...", he said.
Nicolas Navarro from Aix, a member of the SCO Ste Marguerite, finished at the foot of the podium. "I've already done much better in terms of time, but I still had fun." Clémence Calvin won the women's race in 1:13:32? "I'm happy, I held up well mentally. Since Carro-Carry, I feel like I've had a click. Six years after my first participation, I've added this great international classic to my list of achievements and I'm very happy about it," said the first woman in the general standings.
As a reminder, nearly 20,000 riders took the start this Sunday morning of this 20-kilometer race, at 9 a.m., in front of the Velodrome, which will host the long-awaited Clasico this Sunday evening (8:45 p.m.).
(10/28/2024) Views: 147 ⚡AMPOnce upon a time… How could we imagine one day of March 1979, the idea of organizing a race opened to everyone between Marseilles and Cassis could take such an International dimension? A very young athletic section, a group of close friends and the unfailing support of every sections of an “omnisport” club, the SCO Ste Marguerite, gave...
more...Edwin Kiptoo of Kenya set a new course record at the 40th Athens Marathon in 2:10:34 on Sunday, slicing three seconds off of the previous record of 2:10:37 set by fellow Kenyan Felix Kipchirchir Kandie in 2014.
"I was not well prepared for the race. I did not expect to break the record. I thank my family for giving me ample time to prepare for this marathon," said the 30-year-old who shook off his main challengers over the second half of the course and ran the last 10 kilometers alone.
Kiptoo's compatriots Rhonzai Lokitam Kilimo and Felicien Muhitira of Rwanda finished second and third in the men's event. Moroccan Soukaina Atanane finished first in the women's category in 2:31:52, followed by Kenya's Caroline Jepchirchir and local Gloria Privileggio.
The event attracted some 70,000 runners from 140 countries and regions in the 42km course, as well as the 10km, 5km and kids' races, setting a record high of participants, according to the Hellenic Athletics Federation. The 42km classic course from Marathon city to Athens follows in the footsteps of ancient soldier Pheidippides who inspired the race.
The Athens Marathon has a relatively hilly route, which somehow makes it almost impossible for runners to set a world record here, with the course rising almost continuously between the 17th and 32nd kilometers before descending most of the rest of the way.
(11/13/2023) Views: 805 ⚡AMPThe Athens Classic (authentic) Marathon is an annual marathon road race held in Athens, Greece, normally in early November. The race attracted 43.000 competitors in 2015 of which 16.000 were for the 42.195 km course, both numbers being an all-time record for the event. The rest of the runners competed in the concurrent 5 and 10 kilometers road races and...
more...Rwanda’s long distance runner Felicien Muhitira has returned to action as he prepares to compete at the forthcoming 2021 Paris Marathon slated for October 17 in Paris, France.
The 26-year-old will be participating at the marathon race in search of qualification to the 2022 World Athletics Championship slated from July 15-24, 2022 in Oregon, United States.
It was originally scheduled for August 6–15, 2021 but the postponement of the 2020 Tokyo 2020 Olympics prompted the need for postponement of the race, too, into 2022.
The Paris Marathon is one of Europe’s most popular sporting events and Muhitira aims to take advantage of the golden race to improve his current minima that would see him qualify to the World Championships.
“The Paris Marathon is a good opportunity for me to improve my performance so I can not only qualify to the World Athletics Championships but also try to impress and get a chance to be invited in bigger marathon events in the future,” vows Muhitira in an interview with Times Sport.
Since he recovered from illness, Muhitira has been under intensive training sessions in Nyagatare as he targets to hit at least 2hours 08 minutes at Paris race so he can be able to land more marathon opportunities beyond World Championships.
The itinerary of the Paris Marathon, which normally attracts over 40,000 runners each year, will start on Les Champs Elysées.
(09/01/2021) Views: 1,306 ⚡AMPThe Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris offers a unique opportunity to make the city yours by participating in one of the most prestigious races over the legendary 42.195 km distance. The Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris is now one of the biggest marathons in the world, as much for the size of its field as the performances of its runners....
more...Kenyan John Kipkorir Komen was the big winner of the 37th Athens Authentic Marathon on Sunday.
Komen, 42, crossed the finish line at the Panathenaic Stadium in the center of Athens in 2:16:34.
He did not manage to break the race's record at the 42km original course from Marathon city to Athens on a rainy day, but was cheered by thousands of spectators at the stadium which hosted the first modern Olympics in 1896, as well as along the route.
Kenya's Felix Kipchirchir Kandie holds the best time in the Authentic course since 2014, when he clocked 2:10:37.
Rwandan Felicien Muhitira, 25, ranked second, clocking 2:16:43, and Greek Konstantinos Gkelaouzos was third in 2:19:02.
A record 60,000 people from more than 120 countries and regions took part in the 42km course as well as the shorter 10km, 5km races and other parallel events, the organizing committee of the Hellenic Athletics Federation (SEGAS) said.
Among them were infants in strollers, entire families and white-haired amateur runners. The message of the Athens Marathon is that all participants are winners.
The race originates from the feat of Pheidippides who ran from the Marathon battlefield to Athens in 490 BC to announce Greeks' victory over the Persian forces and died from exhaustion.
This year all runners in the Marathon and shorter distances were presented with a new medal depicting the Marathon battle. The medal was designed by one of the greatest contemporary Greek artists, Alekos Fasianos. Enditem
(11/10/2019) Views: 1,774 ⚡AMP
The Athens Classic (authentic) Marathon is an annual marathon road race held in Athens, Greece, normally in early November. The race attracted 43.000 competitors in 2015 of which 16.000 were for the 42.195 km course, both numbers being an all-time record for the event. The rest of the runners competed in the concurrent 5 and 10 kilometers road races and...
more...Muteti who clocked 2:09:25 in Cape Town is eyeing fast time in the old Greek city but will have to contend with compatriot Rhonzas Kilimo in the quest to break the Athens course record of 2:10:37 set by Felix Kandie back in 2014.
A record 20,000 runners will line up on a course that is almost identical to the one used for the 1896 Olympic marathon.
"The fact that I am running here in Athens where the marathon began is special motivation for me," said Daniel Muteti on Friday.
"I have enough motivation to go for a fast time and I believe the weather will be good for me so that I may attain my goal. I know it is a short time to run two marathons in the span of two months, but I believe I have the strength to withstand the pressure," Muteti said.
Kilimo will be making debut at the distance after a running a half marathon in a personal best time of 60:49 minutes last year.
"I always wanted to run the full distance and have been delaying it. But I believe Athens will be the perfect stage for me to make another mark in my career and win a first marathon," said Kilimo.
Also in the field are John Komen, now 42 and who ran his best of 2:07:13 in 2011, Dominic Kangor (2:09:36), Chalu Gelmisa (2:12:38) and Felicien Muhitira (2:10:58).
Organizers admit they have concentrated more on the men's field this year than the women's, so Eleftheria Petroulak (2:44:01) and Sonia Tsekini (2:45:02) are the favorites. There will be no women representation from Kenya.
(11/09/2019) Views: 1,783 ⚡AMPThe Athens Classic (authentic) Marathon is an annual marathon road race held in Athens, Greece, normally in early November. The race attracted 43.000 competitors in 2015 of which 16.000 were for the 42.195 km course, both numbers being an all-time record for the event. The rest of the runners competed in the concurrent 5 and 10 kilometers road races and...
more...Frenchmen Florian Carvalho and Hassan Chahdi and Felicien Muhitira of Rwanda look to be the favorites at the Paris 20 km, an IAAF Silver Label road race, whose 41st edition will be held on Sunday.
With no previous winner on the start line, the 2019 edition will crown new champions in both races.
Carvalho and Chahdi, both in the build-up for their upcoming appearances at the Valencia Marathon on 1 December, should be at the front. Their goal will be to succeed Morhad Amdouni, the last French winner of the race who took the title in 2016.
Chadhi finished third in 59:51 last year, 1:38 behind winner Samuel Tsegay of Eritrea. Chahdi’s best 2019 performance was a marathon personal best of 2:09:55 set in Seville in February.
Carvalho also set a new marathon best this year, clocking 2:12:53 in Paris. He also clocked 29:00 over 10km in June, finishing 1:42 ahead of Chadhi, who is expected to be in better shape on Sunday.
Muhitira should have a role to play. The Rwandan was runner-up at last year’s edition, finishing 12 seconds adrift of Tsegay. He should have been the favorite but he finished a distant 22nd in the marathon at the World Championships one week ago (2:16:21). The speed of his recovery will be a key factor in Sunday’s race.
Nicolas Navarro, who improved his marathon PB this year to 2:11:53 will also be in the running for the podium, as well as Haile Ibrahimov of Azerbaijan.
Other French runners expected to contend include marathoner Benjamin Malaty and Michael Gras. Evans Kiprop Cheruiyot set the men’s course record of 57:19 back to 2005.
On the women’s side, the defending champion Ophélie Claude-Boxberger, who competed in the 3000m steeplechase in Doha, won’t defend her title.
In her absence Susan Kipsang Jeptoo appears to be one the main favorite. She has a 32:14 10km season’s best in 2019. Liv Westphal, third last year, should be her main rival.
Chaltu Negasa, who knows the race well, Kenyan Joyline Koima as well as French runners Samira Mezeghrane Saad and Alice Finot, who finished fourth and fifth respectively, last year, should be in the running for the podium. Not to be discounted is Mekdes Woldu from Eritrea.
The women’s course record is held by Kenya’s Rose Chelimo, who ran 1:05:01 in 2014.
About 30,000 runners are expected to enter the race on Sunday.
(10/11/2019) Views: 1,987 ⚡AMP
The 20 Kilometers de Paris (Paris 20 km) is an annual road running competition over 20 kilometers which takes place on the streets of Paris, France in October. First held in 1979, the race attracts top level international competitors and holds IAAF Bronze Label Road Race status. The competition was the idea of Michel Jazy, a French runner who was...
more...Rwanda international long distance and cross country runner Felicien Muhitira defended the French race Marvejols-Mende half marathon for a third consecutive time.
The Mountain Classic Athletics runner Muhitira, clocked the fastest time of one hour thirteen minutes and fourteen seconds ahead of Ugandan Ezekiel Chepkorom and Kenyan Bett Bernard in second and third position respectively.
Muhitira the Mountain Classic Athletics club athlete put on an impressive run to defend the title at the 47th edition of the annual event over the weekend in the men’s category, which he had won twice since last year.
The 22.4-kilometer race was contested by over 2,000 athletes from around the world.
It did not go well for the other Rwanda long-distance runner Gervais Hakizimana who finished far in the 18th position with a time of one hour twenty minutes and fifty-five seconds.
From France, the athlete will be heading to Japan where he will link up with other Rwandan for the preparations for Africa scheduled in Morocco.
(07/23/2019) Views: 2,313 ⚡AMPIf you’re looking for a wild introduction to racing in France, try this Half Marathon in the protected wilderness of the Massif Central. The race starts in Marvejols, a medieval town with a rich history, and finishes in Mende with two famous cols and plenty of course-side entertainment separating the ancient towns. With locals daubing words of encouragement underfoot...
more...Felicien Muhitira, Rwanda’s finest middle and long distance runner, has vowed to continue tormenting rivals at the Semi-marathon Marvejols-Mende in France after winning it back-to-back since his 2017 debut.
This year’s edition of the annual 22.4km race is set for July 21 and Muhitira, 24, has started intensive preparations in Ngoma District, Eastern Province, in a bid to retain his gold medal for a third successive time.
Muhitira, who was also decorated as Rwanda’s best performer in men’s half-marathon during the 15th Kigali International Peace Marathon last month, will also represent the country at the 2019 IAAF World Championships in Qatar, in September.
Speaking to Saturday Sport on Friday, Muhitira said: “Since the Kigali Peace Marathon, I didn’t take any break. I have since been in intensive training for Semi-marathon Marvejols-Mende because I want to retain the title.
But; most importantly, I want to set a new record for the race.”
Kenyan Luka Kanda, currently banned after testing positive for performance-enhancing substances, is the only runner to have won this race three times in a row between 2010 and 2012 and also holds the current record time of one hour, ten minutes and nine seconds.
Last year, during its 46th edition, which attracted over 5000 participants from across the world, Muhitira successfully defended his title after clocking 1 hour, 11 minutes and 22 seconds to defy odds against Kenyan, Ugandan and Ethiopian athletes.
He crossed the finish-line a whopping 89 seconds ahead of Kenya’s first runner-up John Liotang.
(07/11/2019) Views: 2,063 ⚡AMPIf you’re looking for a wild introduction to racing in France, try this Half Marathon in the protected wilderness of the Massif Central. The race starts in Marvejols, a medieval town with a rich history, and finishes in Mende with two famous cols and plenty of course-side entertainment separating the ancient towns. With locals daubing words of encouragement underfoot...
more...Ayele is the fastest man in the field, having clocked 2:06:45 in Dubai in 2016, just a few months before finishing fourth in a memorable race at the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships.
He will be joined on the start line by 2015 African Games 10,000m champion Tebalu Zawude, 2:08:17 performer Dereje Tesfaye, 2015 Marrakech Marathon winner Workneh Tiruneh and 2014 World U20 Championships 10,000m finalist Yihunilign Adane.
Italy’s 2014 European marathon champion Daniele Meucci will be returning to the race for the first time since making his marathon debut in 2010. He will be joined by compatriot Ahmed Nasef.
Kenya’s Bernard Kipkorir Talam, Burundi’s Onesphore Nzikinkunda and Rwanda’s Felicien Muhitira are also in the field.
Tsega’s 2:25:48 clocking from the 2018 Shanghai Marathon makes her the fastest in the women’s field. The 22-year-old, who clocked 2:27:36 in Dubai earlier this year, will face compatriots Asnakech Mengistu, Megertu Alemu and Mestawot Tadesse.
Layla Soufyane, who has a career best of 2:32:10, is the fastest Italian woman in the field and will be contesting her first marathon since her maternity leave.
About 10,000 runners have registered for the marathon, which starts and finishes in the Via dei Fori Imperiali.
(04/05/2019) Views: 2,304 ⚡AMPWhen you run our race you will have the feeling of going back to the past for two thousand years. Back in the history of Rome Caput Mundi, its empire and greatness. Run Rome The Marathon is a journey in the eternal city that will make you fall in love with running and the marathon, forever. The rhythm of your...
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