by RBR Admin
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.”
