Joshua Cheptegai, photo by World Athletics
This morning we woke up to the Ugandan champion not breaking, but destroying the 5k road WR with his fab 5k of 12:51. Consider that, three miles at 4:08 in a row, and then, kicking it in! Joshua Cheptegai is the finest 5k-10k man in the world. Can not wait until Tokyo!
Cheptegei WR, Gressier ER
MONACO (MON, Feb 16): Joshua Cheptegei took 27 seconds from the world record at the Monaco Run 5km with 12:51. The Ugandan world 10,000m champion had a clear win as he went under the mark set by Rhonex Kipruto 35 days ago. In second, Jimmy Gressier took 11 seconds from Julien Wanders’ European record in 13:18, which had been a world record here last year. Britain’s Nick Goolab set a British record as he finished third in 13:28. France’s Liv Westphal also set a national record as she came home first woman in 15:31. Sara Benfares was second in 16:31 and Selma Benfares was third in 17:08. The inaugural world records for 5km on the road were set in September 2018. Cheptegei’s time also beat the ARRS-recognised 5km road best of 12:59.5 from 2000. Joshua Cheptegei reacted to his world 5km record: “Wow, this is a really great. I had sub 13 minutes in my mind today so when my legs felt good during the race I decided to really go for it. To take this many seconds of the record makes me very happy and is a great first test for me in an important season.”
