![]() “I want to approach this marathon with a lot of respect. He has developed a newfound respect for the 42.1km (26.2 miles) distance. But now I'm learning to accept that it's going to be my part of life in the future.” Joshua Cheptegei on marathon training: Respect the distanceĪs he acquaints himself with the demanding marathon training, Cheptegei also immersing himself in watching more 42km races. “The long runs used to be tiresome for me. I've learned about diet and hydration and then also the mileage,” Cheptegei, who trains under Dutch coach Addy Ruiter, shared as he explained on how training for the marathon has enabled him to adhere to a rigorous routine encompassing not only exercise but also diet. “It's exactly because of the marathon that I really learned a lot of things, especially on hydration. Yet, training for his first marathon has heightened his dedication and focus. He set the 10km world record in December 2019, raced a couple of 15km events, and in 2020, he made his debut over the 21km distance with a fourth-place finish at the World Half Marathon in Gdynia, Poland. The 27-year-old is no stranger to the roads. “My mileage for every week is like between 140-160km, and the longest run I've done is actually 40km.”Ĭheptegei: If I don't believe in myself then nobody is going to believe in me Now, he incorporates more long runs and unusually extended sessions on the track. He has kept his training group in the hilly terrain of Kapchorwa, in the Eastern part of his country, but adjusted his training plan. “To try to switch on to the marathon is actually a new venture, which I am really excited about and looking forward to seeing what the roads can offer me as a new challenge.” “It’s been 10 years of running internationally, 10 years of high level,” he said. Since his promotion to the national track and field team at the age of 18, he has not only become the best Ugandan distance runner, but also the most decorated.įrom winning the 2004 World U20 title to earning four senior World championships medals, standing on the Olympic podium twice, and securinge World Cross Country gold and bronze, his record remains unmatched nationally.ĭefending his 10,000m world crown for the second time in Budapest was the affirmation he needed to step up. However, athletics had always been a part of his life: 'running with other kids' was mainly a fun activity while grazing animals. Growing up, he loved football and only took up running in his final year of high school. Running was an afterthought to Cheptegei. Joshua Cheptegei shares his training regime and marathon goals “I have to really be sure that I can handle the distance.”Ĭheptegei’s debut will be the main headline in Valencia on Sunday 3 December, a race that has attracted fellow Olympic and world gold medallist Ethiopian Bekele and 2021 London Marathon winner Sisay Lemma. “What is very important is just to enjoy the race and try to see what happens after 35 kilometres because it's something new for me,” he said on a media call on Tuesday, 14 November from his training base at altitude in Kapchorwa, underlining that he is not “yet done with track”. However, as he prepares to tackle the famous distance, the double world record holder is cautious and realistic. In a span of a year, Cheptegei, set two world records in the coastal Spanish city: a 10km world record in 2019 and broke Kenenisa Bekele’s 15-year-old record in the 10,000m in 2020. Valencia was, "of course, the best choice," a venue that has proven highly successful for both his track and road career. Recognising the need for another exciting 'new challenge,' he set his sights on earning the title of becoming a marathoner. Securing his 11th global career medal at the 2023 World Athletic Championships in Budapest filled the three-time world champion with immense pride. However, with the upcoming 2023 Valencia Marathon, it feels as if Uganda's athletics star is embarking on a new chapter of his illustrious running career. It's been a decade of running at the top level for Olympic and world champion Joshua Cheptegei. ![]()
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