Cycling: 3rd edition of “Kirehe Race” takes place

By The Inspirer.

As the third edition of the annual “Kirehe Race” cycling competition concluded in Kirehe District, Jazilla Mwamikazi in the women’s category and Eric Muhoza in the men’s category emerged as the champions, beating their competitors.

The 2024 Kirehe Race started on Saturday, October 19, passing through the districts of Rwamagana and Kayonza on the first day.

On Sunday, October 20, the second day of the race took place, featuring non-professional cyclists who rode ordinary bicycles around Nyakarambi Town, covering a distance of 11.7 kilometers.

In the non-professional category, Athanase Nsabimana and Létitia Mukabikorimana won the “Kirehe Race 2024,” competing among over 90 participants from different sectors of Kirehe District, including a team from Mahama Refugee Camp.

As planned, the under-19 category followed. These cyclists circled Nyakarambi Town five times, covering a total distance of 19.5 kilometers.

In the under-19 girls’ category, Liliane Uwiringiyimana of Friends of Nature Cycling Team claimed victory, repeating her success from Saturday’s race. She finished the race in 37 minutes, 29.99 seconds, securing the overall win.

Sandrine Umutoni of Bugesera Cycling Team came in second, three seconds behind, while Charlotte Iragena from Ndabaga Women Cycling Team took third place, with Yvonne Masengesho from the same team finishing fourth.

The next race was for the under-19 boys. They cycled eight laps around Nyakarambi, covering a distance of 31.2 kilometers. Tuyipfukamire Aphrodice of Benediction Club won after finishing second on the first day.

Tuyipfukamire completed the race in 53 minutes, 31.58 seconds, followed by Didier Twagirayezu from Kayonza Cycling Club, who was just one second behind, and Aime Ruhumuriza from CCA.

In this category, Byusa Pacifique of Les Amis Sportifs finished first, even though he was three seconds behind the leader. His strong performance on the first day pushed him to the top of the overall standings.

The under-23 men’s race started in Kirehe District and headed towards the Rusumo border, then circled Nyakarambi Town five times, covering a distance of 69.5 kilometers. Samuel Niyonkuru of Team Amani from Kenya won, completing the race in two hours, nine minutes, and 36 seconds.

Eric Muhoza, who had won the first day’s race, secured the overall victory thanks to his excellent time, despite finishing two minutes and 42 seconds behind.

Niyonkuru, who won the second day’s race, came in second overall, followed by Jean Claude Nzafashwanayo, while Barnabé Gahemba took third, both finishing one minute and 54 seconds behind. Shemu Nsengiyumva finished fourth.

The women’s race covered a distance of 31.2 kilometers. This category saw fierce competition between Jazilla Mwamikazi, who had won the first day’s race, and Diane Ingabire, who finished third on the first day.

In the end, Diane Ingabire of Canyon/SRAM Women Team from Germany won the second day’s race, completing it in 55 minutes and 40 seconds, followed by Xaverine Nirere, with Jazilla Mwamikazi finishing third. However, Mwamikazi won the overall race by accumulating the best time over the two days.

This was the third time this race had been held in Kirehe District.

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