18 February 2023 | Athletics

Ugandan long-distance runner Joshua Cheptegei feels his medal-winning return at the 2023 World Cross Country Championships in Australia was commendable following a string of injuries that have bothered him recently. Chaptegei - whose season end last year was blighted by injury - crossed the tape in third place, for bronze ahead of a fast-finishing Kenya’s Geoffrey Kamworor, both men timed at 29:37. Compatriot Jacob Kiplimo stormed to victory in 29:17 – a remarkably quick time for 10km given the difficulty of the course. Talking up the race, Cheptegei  felt his return from injury after missing the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games meant more; “I think it was a good race, especially coming back from injury." The world 5000m and 10,000m record-holder added; “I didn’t have the best preparation, but I’m grateful to come here and finish on the podium. Now I can be reassured I can go focus on the track soon, and especially the coming World Championships.” The event was Cheptegei's first major race this year after winning 5,000m gold at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, and 10,000m World Athletics Championships gold in Oregon last year.

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