Gilbert Tuhabonye facts for kids

Gilbert Tuhabonye was born on November 22, 1974, in Songa, Burundi. He is a talented long-distance runner, a writer, and a speaker who inspires many people. Gilbert survived a very difficult time during the Burundian Civil War. He later moved to the United States. There, he wrote a book about his amazing story of survival. Gilbert is married to Triphine, and they have two daughters named Emma and Grace.

Gilbert's Life Story

Gilbert Tuhabonye is a survivor of a terrible event that happened during the Burundian Civil War in the early 1990s. In October 1993, when he was in high school, members of the Hutu tribe attacked his school. They captured over 100 Tutsi students and teachers. Many of the captives were killed. Gilbert managed to hide for nearly nine to ten hours. He was hidden among the chaos and danger, and he suffered burns on much of his body.

After this terrifying experience, Gilbert bravely escaped and found medical help. He later shared his story in a book called This Voice in My Heart: A Genocide Survivor's Story of Escape, Faith, and Forgiveness. This book was published in 2006. It tells about his escape, his strong faith, and how he learned to forgive.

Becoming a Runner and Coach

By 1996, Gilbert's amazing running skills brought him to the United States. He joined an Olympic training program. He earned a scholarship to run track at Abilene Christian University. There, he became a national champion runner.

Today, Gilbert Tuhabonye is a very successful coach. He leads the Gilbert's Gazelles Training Group in Texas. In 2006, he also helped start the Gazelle Foundation. This is a non-profit group that works to make life better for people in Burundi. They help everyone, no matter what tribe they belong to. Gilbert is now a citizen of the United States. He lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife and children.

His book, This Voice in My Heart, has been talked about on National Public Radio and the BBC.

Gilbert's Running Achievements

Gilbert Tuhabonye has had an impressive running career. He competed in many races both in Burundi and the United States.

College and International Races

In 1999, Gilbert was the Lonestar Conference Champion in the 1500 meters race. He also won the 8k Cross Country Meet. He represented Burundi in international competitions. For example, he ran in the 1999 Chiba Ekiden Relay in Chiba, Japan.

After college, Gilbert continued to run professionally. He achieved his best times in longer races. He ran a marathon in 2 hours and 23 minutes. He completed a half marathon in 1 hour and 6 minutes.

Highlights of His Athletic Career

Gilbert's running journey began in Burundi.

Running in Burundi

• 1992:
  • He became the Burundi National Champion in the 400 meters race.
  • He also won the Burundi National Champion title in the 800 meters race.
• 1996: Gilbert was one of eight students chosen from Burundi to train in the US. The goal was to possibly qualify for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.

Running in the United States - College

Gilbert achieved great success while running for Abilene Christian University.

• 1999:
  • He was the Division II Indoor National Champion in the 800 meters.
  • He won the Lone Star Conference Championship in the 1500 meters.
• 2000:
  • He placed 2nd in the Lone Star Conference Championships (NCAA Division II) for the 800 meters.
  • He finished 3rd in the Indoor National Championships (NCAA Division II) for the 800 meters.
  • He also placed 3rd in the Lone Star Conference Championships (NCAA Division II) for the 1500 meters.
  • He was 5th in the Indoor National Championships (NCAA Division II) for the mile run.
  • Gilbert was part of teams that won the Lone Star Conference Title four times.
  • He was also a member of five NCAA Division II National Championship teams.

Running in the United States - Professional

After college, Gilbert continued to compete and win.

• 2005: He won the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon with a time of 1:09:45.
• 2006: He won the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon again, finishing in 1:11:19.
• 2007:
  • He ran the Chicago Marathon in 2:33:03, placing 25th overall.
  • He finished 6th overall and 1st in his division at the Decker Challenge 20K in Austin, Texas.
  • He won the ARA 20 Miler in Austin, Texas.
• 2008:
  • He won the Moe's Better Half Marathon in San Marcos, Texas.
  • He placed 10th overall and 2nd in his division at the AT&T Half Marathon in Austin, Texas.

Gilbert's Best Running Times

Here are some of Gilbert Tuhabonye's fastest times in various races:

• 400 meters: 48.16 seconds (in Kenya)
• 800 meters: 1 minute, 47.2 seconds (in Kenya)
• Mile run: 3 minutes, 57 seconds (in Georgia)
• 5K run: 13 minutes, 40 seconds (at Chiba Ekiden)
• 10K run: 29 minutes, 24 seconds
• Half marathon: 1 hour, 4 minutes (in Bujumbura, Burundi)
• 20k: 1 hour, 3 minutes (at Decker Challenge, Austin, Texas)
• 25k: 1 hour, 22 minutes (in Austin, Texas)
• 30k: 1 hour, 39 minutes (in Austin, Texas)
• Marathon: 2 hours, 22 minutes, 7 seconds (at Grandma's Marathon in Duluth, Minnesota)

Special Awards and Recognition

Gilbert Tuhabonye has received several special 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 received the National Student-Athlete Day Giant Steps Award. This award recognized him as a Courageous Student Athlete. It was presented by President Bill Clinton at the White House.
• 2004: He was given 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" by the Will Return Council in Kansas City, Kansas.