Joshua Cheptegei, Uganda’s 10,000m world record holder, has announced his retirement from track events to focus on marathon running. Despite past achievements, including three Olympic medals and a world record, he is ready for a new chapter. The Tokyo Marathon will mark his official transition, where he aims to compete against top marathon runners.
At just 28 years old, Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei has achieved remarkable success on the track, excelling in the 5,000m and 10,000m events. He announced his decision to retire from track events during a press conference ahead of the 2025 Tokyo Marathon, expressing readiness to explore other aspects of life. Cheptegei, known for his formidable record-breaking performances, stated, “I have to leave, but I’ll miss track.”
In his illustrious track career, Cheptegei has secured three Olympic medals, including two golds and a silver, alongside four world championship medals. His historic world record in the 10,000m, set at 26:11 minutes during the Monaco Diamond League in 2020, underscores his dominance in the sport. However, he has decided it is time to transition to marathon running.
As he embarks on this new journey, Cheptegei aims to improve upon his previous marathon performance, where he finished 37th in Valencia. He is focused on competing with notable athletes such as defending champion Benson Kipruto and Deresa Geleta. Kipruto’s course record from last year is a benchmark for Cheptegei’s expectations in the upcoming race.
Other prominent runners will be vying for victory in Tokyo, including Ethiopia’s Sutume Kebede, who is looking to defend her title from last year while competing against an elite field of women marathoners. Notable is Rosemary Wanjiru, returning from a previous win, and the absence of former champion Brigid Kosgei, who has withdrawn from the event.
Viewers are invited to watch the action unfold live on FloTrack, starting at 7:00 p.m. ET for the 7:10 p.m. ET marathon kickoff. Signing up for an account will allow fans to stream this highly anticipated event.
In summary, Joshua Cheptegei’s retirement from track running marks a pivotal moment in his career as he transitions to marathon racing. With an impressive legacy of world records and Olympic success, he aims to continue competing at high levels in a new discipline. The Tokyo Marathon promises to showcase elite athletes and fierce competition, including Cheptegei’s pursuit of personal bests against strong contenders in both men’s and women’s categories.
Original Source: runningmagazine.ca
