All eyes will be on Amsterdam this Sunday October 19 2025 as Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei, the undisputed king of long-distance running takes to the streets for the 50th TCS Amsterdam Marathon, ready to tackle 42.2 kilometers of endurance and willpower.
The Olympic and world champion over 5,000m and 10,000m now faces a new frontier: mastering the marathon.
Known for his precision and discipline on the track, Cheptegei is determined to prove that his dominance can extend to the roads, where strategy and resilience often outweigh raw speed.
This will be the 28-year-old’s third marathon, following strong performances in Valencia (2:08:59) and Tokyo (2:05:59).
Both showed promise steady pacing, sharp control, and his trademark grit but Amsterdam could be the defining race of his marathon journey.
He faces a formidable field. Tanzania’s Gabriel Geay (2:03:00) headlines the elite pack alongside Ethiopia’s Getaneh Molla (2:03:34), Tsegaye Getachew (2:04:49), and Bute Gemechu (2:04:51), all sub-2:05 runners with serious ambitions.
Cheptegei will also be joined by two NN Running Team teammates, Kenya’s Enock Kinyamal (2:06:28) and Ethiopia’s Mesfin Niguse (2:07:58) both proven podium contenders.
Europe’s hopes rest with Britain’s Phil Sesemann (2:08:04), Germany’s Haftom Welday (2:08:24), and Dutch favorite Khalid Choukoud (2:07:37), who will have the home crowd’s full support.
Former 10,000m world champion Muktar Edris also joins the chase, adding depth to what promises to be one of the most competitive marathon fields this year.
Cheptegei’s mission is clear to conquer 42 kilometers and confirm that his greatness knows no distance limits.
