Gilbert Tuhabonye facts for kids

Gilbert Tuhabonye (born November 22, 1974) is a famous long-distance runner, author, and speaker from Burundi. He is known for surviving a terrible event during the Burundian Civil War. After this, he moved to the United States. He wrote a book about his amazing story. Gilbert is married to Triphine and has two daughters, Emma and Grace.

Gilbert's Life Story

Gilbert Tuhabonye is a survivor of a very difficult time during the Burundian Civil War in the early 1990s. In October 1993, when he was in high school, his school was attacked. More than 100 students and teachers were captured. Many were killed, and others were trapped in a burning building.

Gilbert hid for many hours under the bodies of his classmates. He suffered serious burns on his body. But he managed to escape and get help. He later wrote a book about his experience called This Voice in My Heart: A Genocide Survivor's Story of Escape, Faith, and Forgiveness. This book has been shared on National Public Radio and the BBC.

By 1996, Gilbert's talent for running brought him to the United States. He joined an Olympic training program. He earned a scholarship to Abilene Christian University for track and became a national champion runner.

Today, Gilbert is a successful coach for Gilbert's Gazelles Training Group in Texas. In 2006, he helped start the Gazelle Foundation. This group helps people in Burundi, no matter their background. Gilbert is now a US citizen. He lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife and children.

Running Achievements

Overview of Competitions

Gilbert Tuhabonye was a top runner in college. In 1999, he won the Lonestar Conference Championship in the 1500 meters race. He also won the 8k Cross Country Meet. Gilbert ran for Burundi in international races in Europe. He also represented his home country at the 1999 Chiba Ekiden Relay in Japan.

After college, Gilbert continued to run well. His best time for a marathon was 2 hours and 23 minutes. For a half marathon, his best time was 1 hour and 6 minutes.

Athletic Career Highlights

Here are some of Gilbert's running achievements:

Burundi

• 1992:
  • Burundi National Champion, 400 meters
  • Burundi National Champion, 800 meters
• 1996: Chosen as one of eight students from Burundi to train in the US for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.

United States - College

• 1999:
  • Division II Indoor National Champion in the 800 meters (1:52.20)
  • Lone Star Conference Champion in the 1500 meters (3:51.94)
• 2000:
  • 2nd place Lone Star Conference Championships (NCAA Division II) in the 800 meters (1:53.01)
  • 3rd place Indoor National Championships (NCAA Division II) in the 800 meters (1:50.96)
  • 3rd place Lone Star Conference Championships (NCAA Division II) in the 1500 meters (3:53.43)
  • 5th place Indoor National Championships (NCAA Division II) in the mile (4:06.91)
  • Four-time member of Lone Star Conference Title (NCAA Division II) teams
  • Five-time member of NCAA Division II National Championship teams

United States - Professional

• 2005: Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon; 1st place
• 2006: Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon; 1st place
• 2007:
  • Chicago Marathon; 25th place overall
  • Decker Challenge 20K, Austin, Texas; 6th place overall
  • ARA 20 Miler, Austin, Texas; 1st place
• 2008:
  • Moe's Better Half Marathon, San Marcos, Texas; 1st place
  • AT&T Half Marathon, Austin, Texas; 10th place overall

Personal Best Times

• 400 meters: 48.16 seconds
• 800 meters: 1 minute, 47.2 seconds
• Mile run: 3 minutes, 57 seconds
• 5K run: 13 minutes, 40 seconds
• 10K run: 29 minutes, 24 seconds
• Half marathon: 1 hour, 4 minutes
• 20k: 1 hour, 3 minutes
• 25k: 1 hour, 22 minutes
• 30k: 1 hour, 39 minutes
• Marathon: 2 hours, 22 minutes, 7 seconds

Special Awards and Recognition

Gilbert has received many awards for his courage and achievements:

• 1996: He was chosen to carry the Olympic torch in Birmingham, Alabama, for the 1996 Summer Olympics.
• 1999: He won the National Student-Athlete Day Giant Steps Award for being a Courageous Student Athlete. President Bill Clinton gave him this award at the White House.
• 2004: He received the "Columbia Award" at the Austin Marathon.
• 2005: He was voted 3rd Place Winner for Best Running Coach in Competitor Texas Magazine.
• 2009: He was honored as a "Shining Star of Perseverance" in Kansas City, Kansas.