An absolute legend in the 5,000m and 10,000m at just 26 years of age, Joshua Cheptegei wants to diversify. The Ugandan now wants to make a name for himself in the marathons.
Joshua Cheptegei wants to conquer other tracks.The Ugandan wants to try his hand at the marathon. A distance he has never run before. The holder of world records in the 5000m (12mn35s36) and 10000m announced this in a press release on his social networks.
His debut will take place at the Valencia Marathon on 3 December 2023 ."I feel it's time to broaden my horizons. I've been running on the track for 10 years now. I've always concentrated on track distances, although I knew that the marathon was waiting for me. It's an ambition I'm really looking forward to, it will be new and challenging. For next year, I'll be concentrating on the track at the Paris Olympics, but I hope that my marathon debut will be a good experience and that I'll be able to decide after the Olympics what my next steps will be," he begins, before returning to the particularity of the Spanish city.
"Valencia is a very special place for me, I've run 2 of my world records there and they organised NN Valencia World Record Day for me back in the Covid days. Now they're giving me the opportunity to run my first marathon. I know the track in Valencia and I'm very excited to explore the roads here". The two records in question are those for the 10,000 m and 10 km). Joshua Cheptegei will therefore be running in a lucky city.
A trial over 5, 10 and 15 km, as well as the half-marathon
Aside from the particular aspect of Valencia for Joshua Cheptegei, some people are questioning the Ugandan's ability to go the distance in the marathon. Nevertheless, he can draw on his experience in races other than the 5,000m and 10,000m. He has already held the world record for the 5km (record time 12mn51's). The 26-year-old has also competed in the 10km with a time of 26'38'', as well as the 15km, where he holds the all-time world record (41mn05s).Finally, he has already run the half-marathon in 59:21 at the World Championships in 2020.
