Gilbert Tuhabonye
Encyclopedia
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 invaded Gilbert's high school and captured members of the Tutsi
tribe, including Gilbert, after the assassination of Melchior Ndadaye
, a Hutu and Burundi's first elected president. Many of the captives were killed with machetes, and the rest were beaten and then burned alive in a building near the school. Gilbert escaped after nine hours inside the burning building. Despite the intense pain due to his sustained burns, he managed to run to a nearby hospital for treatment.
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. In 2006, Mr. Tuhabonye co-founded the Gazelle Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charatible foundation.
In 2009, Gilbert was honored as a "Shining Star of Perseverance
" by the WillReturn Council of Assurant Employee Benefits.
Burundi
Burundi , officially the Republic of Burundi , is a landlocked country in the Great Lakes region of Eastern Africa bordered by Rwanda to the north, Tanzania to the east and south, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. Its capital is Bujumbura...
, 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
Hutu
The Hutu , or Abahutu, are a Central African people, living mainly in Rwanda, Burundi, and eastern DR Congo.-Population statistics:The Hutu are the largest of the three peoples in Burundi and Rwanda; according to the United States Central Intelligence Agency, 84% of Rwandans and 85% of Burundians...
tribe invaded Gilbert's high school and captured members of the Tutsi
Tutsi
The Tutsi , or Abatutsi, are an ethnic group in Central Africa. Historically they were often referred to as the Watussi or Watusi. They are the second largest caste in Rwanda and Burundi, the other two being the Hutu and the Twa ....
tribe, including Gilbert, after the assassination of Melchior Ndadaye
Melchior Ndadaye
Melchior Ndadaye was a Burundian intellectual and politician. He was the first democratically elected and first Hutu president of Burundi after winning the landmark 1993 election...
, a Hutu and Burundi's first elected president. Many of the captives were killed with machetes, and the rest were beaten and then burned alive in a building near the school. Gilbert escaped after nine hours inside the burning building. Despite the intense pain due to his sustained burns, he managed to run to a nearby hospital for treatment.
After going to school in Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
on a track scholarship, Gilbert was recruited by Abilene Christian University
Abilene Christian University
Abilene Christian University is a private university located in Abilene, Texas, affiliated with Churches of Christ. ACU was founded in 1906, as Childers Classical Institute...
where he earned All-America
All-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
honors 6-times.
Tuhabonye was the 1999 Lonestar Conference Champion in the 1500 meters and the 8k Cross Country
Cross country running
Cross country running is a sport in which people run a race on open-air courses over natural terrain. The course, typically long, may include surfaces of grass and earth, pass through woodlands and open country, and include hills, flat ground and sometimes gravel road...
Meet.
Tuhabonye competed internationally in Europe and represented Burundi at the 1999 Chiba Ekiden Relay
International Chiba Ekiden
The International Chiba Ekiden is an annual team road running competition held in Chiba, Japan in late November. The marathon relay race, or ekiden as it is known in Japan, is one of the prominent annual races of its kind. The competition is split into six legs which combine to make up the marathon...
in Chiba
Chiba, Chiba
is the capital city of Chiba Prefecture, Japan. It is located approximately 40 km east of the center of Tokyo on Tokyo Bay. Chiba City became a government designated city in 1992. Its population as of 2008 is approximately 960,000....
, Japan.
Gilbert Tuhabonye recently released a best-seller book This Voice in My Heart about his life. In 2006, Mr. Tuhabonye co-founded the Gazelle Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charatible foundation.
In 2009, Gilbert was honored as a "Shining Star of Perseverance
Shining Star of Perseverance
The Shining Star of Perseverance is awarded annually by the WillReturn Council of Assurant Employee Benefits to honor and recognize individuals and groups who overcome disabilities to succeed in the workplace and society. Award honorees include:...
" by the WillReturn Council of Assurant Employee Benefits.
Personal Records
- 400 meters: 48.16 Kenya
- 800 meters: 1:47.2 Kenya
- Mile: 3:57 Georgia
- 5k5K5K or 5-K may refer to:* Gnome-Rhône 5K, a radial aircraft engine* 5000 metres race* Hifly IATA airline designator* The Five Ks in Sikhism* 2010 debut album by Dutch DJ, Sander Kleinenberg...
: 13:40 Chiba Ekiden - 10k10K10K may refer to:* 10000 , the natural number following 9999 and preceding 10001* 10,000 metres or 10K, a common running race distance* 10-K Thirst Quencher, a sports drink* Form 10-K, a form used by the Securities and Exchange Commission...
: 29:24 - Half marathonHalf marathonA half marathon is a road running event of . It is half the distance of a marathon and usually run on roads. Participation in half marathons has grown steadily recently. One of the main reasons for this is that it is a challenging distance, but does not require the same level of training that a...
: 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
- MarathonMarathonThe marathon is a long-distance running event with an official distance of 42.195 kilometres , that is usually run as a road race...
: 2:22:07 Grandma's MarathonGrandma's MarathonGrandma's Marathon is an annual road race held each June in Duluth, Minnesota, in the United States. The course runs point-to-point from the town of Two Harbors on Scenic Route 61 and continues along Lake Superior into the city of Duluth...
(Duluth Minnesota)
Audio Interviews
- Gilbert Tuhabonye Podcast Interview: "Courageous Survivor, Running Hero, and TFS Success Story Honoree"
- "Tuhabonye's remarkable Olympic quest", Tuhabonye interviwed by the BBC, April 12, 2008
External links
- Gilbert's Gazelles Biography
- Gilbert'sGazelles.com - Official website
- Gilbert Tuhabonye - a profile of a great runner
- This Voice in My Heart
- Gazelle Foundation