5000m and 10,000m world record holder Joshua Cheptegei struggled in Sunday’s Valencia marathon on his debut for this long-distance race.
“Marathon is a journey, a new chapter that I opened today. I am proud that I finished, despite that the result didn’t match up with what we had trained for.”
Uganda’s reigning 5000m Olympic champion tired badly in the second half of the race, eventually finishing down in 37th place in 2:08:59.
“I have had disappointment before and it always made me come back stronger, it is the most powerful life lesson. More marathon chapters will be written in the years to come.”
It should be remembered that Cheptegei struggled on home soil at Kololo Independence Grounds back in 2017 while competing in the IAAF World Cross Country Championships.
Well, he staggered to the finish line after breaking away from the rest but failed to hold for the win as he ran out of steam.
This was the beginning of the ‘Greatest Of All Time’ Ugandan athlete story Cheptegei is writing in bold letters with a couple of world records and global accolades to his name.
“For now I will first go home, enjoy some time off with my family before the preparations for the Paris Olympics will start,” Cheptegei concluded.
Ahead of him, experienced marathon runners were in a race of their own hence the winner setting a new course record.
Ethiopia’s Sisay Lemma ran 2:01:48 to win the race. Alexander Mutiso took second for Kenya in 2:03:11 with Ethiopian Dawit Wolde finishing 37 seconds further back in third.
Courtesy Photos
