Gilbert Tuhabonye

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Gilbert Tuhabonye, born on November 22, 1974 in Songa, Burundi, is an American long distance runner.

Tuhabonye's most noted accomplishment is winning the Burundi national championship in the men's 400m and 800m as a junior in high school.

On October 21st, 1993, members of the Hutu tribe rounded up the members of the Tutsi tribe (one of whom was Gilbert) at the school Gilbert was attending and beat them and burned them alive in a hut. Gilbert was the only survivor, running, while on fire, to freedom. Despite the intense pain due to his burns, he managed to run the 1km to the nearest hospital.

After going to school in Georgia on a track scholarship, Gilbert was recruited by Abilene Christian University where he earned All-America honors 6-times.

Tuhabonye was the 1999 Lonestar Conference Champion in the 1500 meters and the 8k Cross Country Meet.

Tuhabonye competed internationally in Europe and represented Burundi at the 1999 Chiba Ekiden Relay in Chiba, Japan.

Gilbert Tuhabonye recently released a best-seller book "This Voice in My Heart" about his life

[edit] Personal Records

  • 400 meters: 48.16 Kenya
  • 800 meters: 1:47.2 Kenya
  • 1 mi: 3:57 Georgia
  • 5k: 13:40 Chiba Ekiden
  • 10k: 29:24
  • 1/2 marathon: 1:04:00 Bujumbura Burundi
  • 20k: 1:03:00 Decker Challenge (Austin TX)
  • 25k: 1:22:00 Austin TX
  • 30k: 1:39:00 Austin TX
  • Marathon: 2:22:07 Grandma's Marathon (Duluth Minnesota)

[edit] Audio Interviews

[edit] External links


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