Image copyright: Getty Images
Joshua Cheptegei believes the current crop of long-distance runners can deliver more for Uganda at the global stage following a rather colourful display at the World Half-Marathon Championships in Gdynia, Poland.
Cheptegei and company won a men’s team bronze but the Saturday largely belonged to his younger counterpart Jacob Kiplimo won the 21km event in a championship record time of 58 minutes and 49 seconds.
“There was a lot of excitement in me, there was a lot of happiness,” said Cheptegei upon return from Gdynia.
“If I don’t win of course, somebody from my country has won the gold to make history. That is part of the team spirit that you cheer somebody who has won.”
Owing to his form, the 24-year-old Cheptegei had been expected to win the race but he came fourth in a time of 59 minutes and 21 seconds.
“Going to Poland was not actually in my plans but I went there because of the team spirit,” said Cheptegei, who had set the 10000m world record (WR) ten days prior in Valencia, Spain.
“Sometimes we do our races but we also need to represent our country because there are Ugandans praying for us. The only you can appreciate them is to be in the championship, give your best and be happy.”
Cheptegei has had an incredible year littered with three WRs including those over the 5km and 5000m. He is targeting Olympic gold at the Tokyo Games next year.
“I believe I had an exciting season and it is now time for me to break off and rest for a month and then later, I can build on for the Olympic Games next year and make history for the country,” he added.
2020 WORLD HALF-MARATHON CHAMPS
RESULTS
MEN’S RACE
1 Jacob Kiplimo (UGA) 58:49
2 Kibiwott Kandie (KEN) 58:54
3 Amedework Walelegn (ETH) 59:08
4 Joshua Cheptegei (UGA) 59:21
16 Victor Kiplangat (UGA) 1:00:29
19 Stephen Kissa (UGA) 1:00:34
76 Moses Kibet (UGA) 1:03:54
TEAM MEDAL
1 Kenya 2:58:10
2 Ethiopia 2:58:25
3 Uganda 2:58:39
WOMEN’S RACE
1 Peres Jepchirchir (KEN) 1:05:16
2 Melat Kejeta (GER) 1:05:18
3 Yalemzerf Yehualaw (ETH) 1:05:19
14 Juliet Chekwel (UGA) 1:08:44
17 Doreen Chemutai (UGA) 1:10:18
30 Doreen Chesang (UGA) 1:11:04
57 Rachael Chebet (UGA) 1:12:50
TEAM MEDAL
1 Ethiopia 3:16:39
2 Kenya 3:18:10
3 Germany 3:28:42
4 Uganda 3:30:06
2020 WORLD HALF-MARATHON CHAMPS -
PRIZE MONEY
INDIVIDUALS
1st $30,000 (Shs111.8m)
2nd $15,000 (Shs55.8m)
3rd $10,000 (Shs37.2m)
4th $7000 (Shs26m)
5th $5000 (Shs18.6m)
6th $3000 (Shs11.1m)
TEAM MEDALS
1st $15,000 (Shs55.8m)
2nd $12,000 (Shs44.7m)
3rd $9000 (Shs33.5m)
4th $7500 (Shs27.9m)
5th $6000 (Shs22.3m)
6th $3000 (Shs11.1m)
Join Betway now & enjoy betting on 100’s of markets with the most competitive odds on offer
For all the latest sports news, betting tips and promotions follow Betway on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. Download the Betway App.
This writer is a global broadcaster and as well scribe with Daily Monitor Newspaper and sports presenter with Radio One FM 90 in Kampala. Follow him on Twitter: @AllanDarren and his Facebook Page: Darren Allan Kyeyune