Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei, 28, announced his retirement from track events to focus on marathon running ahead of the Tokyo Marathon. He has achieved substantial success on the track, including world records and Olympic medals. Cheptegei aims to improve upon his previous marathon performance, competing against elite runners. The marathon will feature notable athletes on both men’s and women’s sides, making it a highly anticipated event.
At 28 years of age, Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei has achieved remarkable success on the track, including multiple gold medals and world records in the 5,000m and 10,000m events. However, during a press conference for the upcoming Tokyo Marathon, Cheptegei declared he is “totally done” with track events, emphasizing the need for a transition into marathon running, a new chapter in his athletic career.
Cheptegei, the fastest individual ever in the 10,000m, expressed fond memories of his time on the track, having secured three Olympic medals and four world championship medals, alongside setting a world record of 26 minutes and 11 seconds during the Monaco Diamond League in 2020. He remarked, “I’ll miss track, but I have to leave.”
As he embarks on his marathon journey, Cheptegei aims to improve upon his initial marathon experience, where he finished 37th in a time of 2:08:59 at the Valencia Marathon two years prior. He plans to compete seriously with notable runners such as defending champion Benson Kipruto and marathon expert Deresa Geleta.
The women’s category also features elite competitors including Ethiopia’s Sutume Kebede, who will defend her title following her record-breaking performance last year. Kebede faces stiff competition as former winners and other top athletes compete for significant titles, making this marathon highly anticipated.
The Tokyo Marathon will be broadcast live on FloTrack starting at 7:00 p.m. ET, with the marathon itself commencing shortly thereafter, providing fans and followers an opportunity to witness these remarkable athletes in action.
Joshua Cheptegei’s transition from track to marathon running marks a significant milestone in his career, allowing him to explore new challenges. His departure from track events has left a notable legacy of records and achievements. Both the men’s and women’s race fields in the Tokyo Marathon feature highly competitive athletes, promising an exciting event.
Original Source: runningmagazine.ca
