Gilbert Tuhabonye

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 400 m and 800 m 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 1 km 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. He is currently seeking to represent Burundi at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. [ [http://edition.cnn.com/2008/SPORT/05/19/oly.gilberttuhabonye/ "Athlete's blog: Gilbert Tuhabonye"] , CNN, May 20, 2008] [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/7343425.stm "The long run to freedom"] , BBC, April 12, 2008]

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

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)

Audio Interviews

* [http://www.thefinalsprint.com/2007/12/podcast-110-courageous-survivor-running-hero-and-tfs-success-story-honoree-gilbert-tuhabonye/ Gilbert Tuhabonye Podcast Interview: "Courageous Survivor, Running Hero, and TFS Success Story Honoree"]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/7344530.stm "Tuhabonye's remarkable Olympic quest"] , Tuhabonye interviwed by the BBC, April 12, 2008

References

External links

* [http://www.gilbertsgazelles.com/gilbert_bio.php Gilbert's Gazelles Biography]
* [http://gilbertsgazelles.com Gilbert'sGazelles.com] - Official website
* [http://running.about.com/od/famousrunners/p/tbone.htm Gilbert Tuhabonye] - a profile of a great runner
* [http://www.harpercollins.com/books/9780060817510/This_Voice_in_My_Heart/index.aspx This Voice in My Heart]
* [http://www.gazellefoundation.com Gilbert's Foundation]