JUBA -- Leading athletes from Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia on Saturday joined hundreds of South Sudanese marathoners in a race aimed at promoting peace, healing and reconciliation in the war-torn country.

This year's Great South Sudan Run attracted four athletes from Ethiopian, two Kenyans and one Ugandan for the 10 kilometers race.

Ugandan long-distance runner and 2012 Olympic gold winner, Stephen Kiprotich told Xinhua that he hoped his presence at the race would inspire south Sudanese youth to take up sports and embrace unity in diversity.

Elias Kiptum, a two-time Linz marathon winner, said he participated in the race to show solidarity with the South Sudanese people affected by the ongoing conflict.