Cheptegei targets more history after 5K world record


If there were any inklings of doubts that Joshua Cheptegei offered a one-off year, then those were quashed after the Ugandan long-distance powered to a stellar 2020 start.
 
Cheptegei broke a the 13-minute barrier to set a new 5km world record after winning the Monaco Run Herculis in a time of 12 minutes and 51 seconds in France.
 
“Coming off a very successful 2019 it has been the perfect start to his season to show that his approach is already paying off, his manager Jurrie van der Velden said in an interview with World Athletics. “He is very excited to see what the World Half-Marathon Championships has in store.”

The 23-year-old ran a solo race to erase the previous 5K WR mark set by Kenyan Rhonex Kipruto in Valencia, Spain on January 12, 2020.
 
Over the last 12 months, Cheptegei has conquered the World Cross-country title, the 5000m title on the Diamond League, the 10000m title at the World Athletics Championships, the 10K world record and then the same over 5K.

He hopes to make more history in 2020, particularly at the World Half-Marathon Championships in Gdynia, Poland on March 29 and the Olympic Games in Japan later.
 
“Everything starts in the mind,” Cheptegei told World Athletics. “If you believe you can do this, then it’s possible.”
 
At both events, he will meet defending champions Kenyan Geoffrey Kamworor and then Briton Olympic champion Mo Farah.
 
Cheptegei’s is however intact: “I want to go and make history,” he said.
 

MONACO RUN HERCULIS 5K

 

MEN’S RESULTS


1 Joshua Cheptegei (UGA) 12:51
2 Jimmy Gressier (FRA) 13:18
 

CHEPTEGEI ON THE ROAD - BEST TIMES


Two Miles - 8:07.54 at 2019 Eugene Diamond League (NR)
5K - 12:51 at 2020 Monaco Run (WR)
10K - 26:38 at 2019 Valencia Alfonso 10K (NR)
15K - 41:05 at 2018 Seven Hills Run Nijmegen (WB)
 
Denotes: NR - National Record, WR - World Record, WB - World Best
 

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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
 

Published: 02/20/2020