Joshua Cheptegei begins his Wanda Diamond League title charge at the Italian meeting (Golden Gala) in Florence on Thursday, June 10th.

The MTN Uganda-sponsored long-distance runner who broke the 5000m world record at the Monaco Diamond League last year will face a tough field which includes Norwegian prodigy Jakob Ingebrigtsen, Ethiopians Hagos Gebrhiwet, and Muktar Edris.

Cheptegei targets to break the meeting record of 12:46 over 5000m.

“I believe that with a good organization, the pacers and with also a good field which I see is pretty much strong with the Ethiopian guys, the Canadian guys I believe that the meeting record will be in danger tomorrow,” Cheptegei warned during the pre-race presser.

“I’m pretty much sure that the body is much better than (it was in) Ostrava I hope I can target a time of 12:40 or faster than that.

“I’m happy to be here in Italy, especially racing. I had decided to run at the Rome Diamond League but I never had a chance last year and I took a different path. I come here with new energy, new momentum hoping that the weather is okay to do something for the fans who will be watching us here in Italy,” added the Ugandan runner.

The Golden Gala starts at 7:45pm (EAT) and the 5000m race time is 10:23pm (EAT).

Uganda long distance runner Joshua Cheptegei is excited to be drawing closer to the 10,000m Tokyo Olympics event this year.

The 24-year-old broke Kenenisa Bekele’s 10,000m world record last year in Valencia having run 26:11.00 to improve it by more than 6 seconds.

With the Olympics set to get uderway on 23 July, Cheptegei is relishing the opportunity to show the World how good he is.

“Today marks 100 days until the start of the 10,000m at the Olympics in Tokyo,” he wrote on his Instagram page.

He added; “I’m really looking forward to this big goal, we will keep working hard in the next months to make Uganda proud ?? #silverback gorilla.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CN7PqEQHuiW/

Cheptegei has won 10,000m gold at 2014 World Junior Championships, 2015 African Junior Championships, 2018 Commonwealth Games, 2019 Doha World Championships and silver at the 2017 World Championships.

Ugandan long-distance runner Jacob Kiplimo has decried insufficient support from the Government after succeeding at the Ostrava Golden Spike in the Czech Republic on Wednesday.

Kiplimo posted a new world-leading time of 26:33.93 – also improving his previous PB of 27:26.68 by close to a full minute.

Before the race, Kiplimo said he was hoping to break 27 minutes and he actually did so – a result that put him at seventh-best in history at the distance.

Days after the race, Kiplimo revealed how he feels government support hasn’t been sufficient since the start of his career in 2016.

“After my 10k race last week in Ostrava, I was surprised to meet a representative of another big country asking me to accept his nationality with very many promises.

“All I want is to train better and also help struggling athletes. But since my running career began in 2016, I have not felt the efforts of my government. Sad….” he wrote on his Instagram page.

Since the inception of the MTN Uganda Marathon, over 3.5 billion shillings has been raised to complement government efforts in pertinent sectors such as health, education and ICT.

MTN Uganda has for the last sixteen years consistently organized the event which has evolved into the biggest athletics event in the region. 

According to MTN Uganda Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Somdev Sen, a lot of preparation has been put in for the success of the event. 

What is the motive of the MTN Kampala Marathon?

As a corporate citizen, we believe that part of our responsibility is to improve the lives of the people in the communities within which we operate. MTN Uganda believes there is a limit to the impact a single company can create and as such the marathon was born out of the idea that together we can do more therefore creating it to be a platform where individuals and other corporate organisations could come together to contribute, ideas, solutions and funds that would help address many pressing socio-economic needs across the country.

How does MTN mobilize these funds?

Funds are raised through corporate companies who come on board as sponsors of the marathon as well as through individuals who chose to participate in the in the run. Over the years the marathon has attracted an average of 20,000 individual runners and corporate companies like Vision Group, Huawei, Stanbic Bank, Rwenzori, Spedag among others all coming together to raise a good amount of money to address given challenges in the communities.

So far how many people’s lives has the MKM touched?

It is quite hard to quantify the number of lives that the MKM has touched over the years. Let me say that in the past sixteen years, very many people in different communities have benefited from the proceeds of the Marathon. As a matter of fact, the MKM has raised over 3.5 billion shillings that has all been spent on various charity projects across the country in a conscious effort to enable the country achieve the sustainable development goals in the areas of health, education and ICT.

Tell us about the projects that have been undertaken using the MKM proceeds so far.

In terms of projects, we have done quite many. We started with supporting mothers in Internally Displaced People’s camps with Mama kits, moved on to providing safe water in Amuria and Karamoja, constructed biogas toilets in KCCA schools, reduced cancer exposure among school children by replacing asbestos roofing with iron sheets and currently, we are complementing government efforts in maternal health across the country. Each of these projects have lasted a couple of years.

Impressive. So how much money does the MKM raise annually?

Again, that varies from year to year, based on a number of factors. But in a nutshell, the MKM proceeds have been increasing progressively over the years. For instance, when we started in 2004, we raised 20million shillings from 1500 participants. Six years later when other corporate companies came in to sponsor the event, we were able to raise 190 million. In 2015, we hit the 500 million mark and for the last two years, the MKM has raised at least 600million shillings in both the years.

Talking about the last two years, MTN Uganda extended the MKM to other regions in the country. What was the motive?

As you may be aware, the MKM has evolved into the biggest athletic event in the region. As such, the numbers of participants had outgrown our capacity in Kampala yet the need for services was still immense in the communities. Therefore, in order to give more Ugandans a chance to participate in this philanthropic event, we introduced the regional runs, which I’m proud to say have been well-received. The beauty about these races is that they are rotational so every major town out of Kampala eventually gets to host the MKM.

It is Mid-November already and there are no MKM adverts…

Yes. Due to the Covid19 pandemic, we decided, with a heavy heart, not to have the MKM this year. The Covid19 ministry of Health guidelines require social distancing and no crowd gatherings yet based on the previous crowds, it is evident that it will be impossible to enforce social distancing and the other SOPs. As such, we have decided to call it off this year. Hopefully if the pandemic is no more by the same time next year, we shall organize the MKM as we have done for the last 16 years.

What is the future of the MKM?

Even though we have seen progress over the years, there is still more to be done in the socio-economic services sector in the communities. We recognize the fact that government cannot do this on its own. Therefore, as a company that is in the business of connecting people, we are willingly still committed to connecting communities to better socio economic services through mobilizing fellow corporates, individual and organisations to help make a difference in the communities. Once the pandemic is behind us, the MKM will come back in a much bigger and better way.

What does it take for one to be a sponsor or individually participate in MTN Kampala Marathon?

Any individual, company, or organization that is interested in partaking in charity can make a donation of any amount or sign up for a sponsorship package as an official partner of the MKM.

Joshua Cheptegei claimed the men’s 3000m race at the Ostrava Golden Spike despite coming short of the Daniel Komen’s World Record.

The 24-year-old Ugandan ran 07:33:24 to cross the tape in first place followed by USA’s Paul Chelimo (07:41:69) in second place at the Městský Stadium.

Cheptegei upstaged a field of 10 runners including fellow Ugandan Oscar Chelimo who crossed the tape third in a time 7:43:00.

The 10,000m world record holder was guided by pacing lights throughout the race, initially alongside pacesetters Richard Douma of Netherlands and Australian Stewart Mc Sweyn.

Douma and Stewart dropped off before the final two laps as Cheptegei tried to cover for the gap between him and the lights.

The Kapchorwa-based star eventually crossed the finish line – setting a personal best (PB) – also an improvement from his previous record of 7:33.26.

Golden Spike Ostrava 2021 – Men’s 3000m – Race Results

1. Joshua Cheptegei (UGA) 07:33.24 – WL, PB
2. Paul Chelimo (USA) 07:41.69 – SB
3. Oscar Chelimo (UGA) 07:43.00 – PB
4. Seán Tobin (IRL) 07:49.37 – SB
5. Isaac Kimeli (BEL) 07:49.47 – SB
6. Andreas Vojta (AUT) 07:49.75 – PB
7. Abdessamad Oukhelfen (ESP) 08:07.68 – SB
8. Vojtěch Král (CZE) 08:20.61 – SB

Ugandan athlete Joshua Cheptegei has been listed by World Athletics as one of the stars that are likely to light up the Tokyo Olympics.

The Kapchorwa based athlete was fronted as an A-lister following a successful 2020 in long distance.

Despite the year being blighted by Coronavirus that the games got postponed, Cheptegei broke three records.

According to Olympic Channel, “The emergence of double distance world record holder Joshua Cheptegei should spice up the two longest track events.

“The Ugandan hopes to be the man to return the 5,000m and 10,000m Olympic titles back to the region after Mo Farah ended the reign of Ethiopian and Kenyan runners over the distances.”

Records broken by Cheptegei in 2020

He started with the 5 km Herculis in Monaco, setting a new world record of 12:51 – a 27 second improvement from Kenyan Rhonex Kipruto’s 13:18.

He then ran 12:35:36 to break Kenenisa Bekele’s 5000m world record set in 2004 at the Monaco Diamond League meeting on August 14th.

He also smashed Bekele’s 15-year old 10,000m world record of 2005 at the NN Valencia World Record Day, Estadio de Atletismo del Turia, Valencia on October 7th.

MTN sponsored Joshua Cheptegei currently holds the world road 5 km record set at a road race in Monaco when he posted 12:51 in 2020.

In this kind of distance, the Kapchorwa based athlete is a star and now consultant on the different dynamics surrounding good performances.

The Tokyo Olympics bound 24-year-old lists some of the most important things one has to check before setting out to race on the road.

Cheptegei explains how best one can be best prepare in this order via the World Athletics Twitter platform;

1. “First and foremost, you need to have the right gear, especially the running shoes so as to prevent being injured.”
2. “If you are doing a hour plus run, you will need some water with you. You will need to have some food like two hours before the race.”
3. “Not only running on the roads will help you run faster but also running off the roads. Easy runs are very important for purpose of recovery.”
4. “The last three weeks of your preparation slow down. This will give you time to save your energy and to get ready for the race.”
5. “Tip number five. The most important is enjoy yourself. Good luck in your race!”

Want to improve your road running?

Try these five tips from 5km world record holder @joshuacheptege1 🇺🇬 pic.twitter.com/nkIK3p1Cut

— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) April 12, 2021

Joshua Cheptegei is raring to have a go at the 3000m world record at the Golden Spike in Ostrava on Wednesday.

The 24-year-old Ugandan will be attempting to break Daniel Komen‘s legendary 7:20.67 world record which has stood for nearly 25 years.

Cheptegei’s agent Jurrie van der Velden believes the world champion will have to run his ultimate best to flip the record but he’s confident of a possible new world record.

“It’s a big ask for Joshua to break [the 3,000-meter world record]. We have to be realistic about that but we believe it’s possible with the training he’s done. It will be the toughest attempt for him thus far,” van der Velden told LetsRun.com.

Ahead of the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meeting, Cheptegei spoke of the world record so highly. He told NNRunning Team; “I watched Daniel Komen’s World Record a couple of times and multiple times per year. What he did is a really special and exceptional performance. So many big names tried, that shows that’s it’s a tough record to break.”

The Kapchorwa based runner, who last year set world records over 5000m and 10,000m, has previously posted 7:33.26 as his best over the distance while the meeting record is 7:31.66.

Cheptegei will be guided by pacing lights that will run along the track throughout the race, running alongside Australian 3,000m record holder Stewart McSweyn, who owns a PB of 7:28.02.

2020 is the year remembered for the most devastating effect of the Coronavirus across the world. About 3.84 million people died from the disease.

Athletics came to halt with several events postponed most notably the Tokyo Olympics that were extended to from 23 July to 8 August 2021 from 24 July to 9 August 2020.

Meanwhile earlier in 2019, Kiplimo’s was doing just fine when he won silver just four seconds behind Joshua Cheptegei at the World Cross Country Championships in Aarhus.

He however suffered a injury blow after the Great Manchester Run in May when he developed a pain beneath his knee that ruled him out for four months.

He consequently missed the World Championships in Doha as Cheptegei took 10,000m gold.

Later that year Kiplimo returned for the INEOS 1:59 Challenge in October, where he helped pace Eliud Kipchoge around the streets of Vienna.

2020 then started on a promising note but the challenges brought by the Coronavirus pandemic meant Kiplimo had to wait till September 8 at the 59th Ostrava Golden Spike, Mestský Stadion, Ostrava.

He claimed gold at the 3000m event in 12:48.63 before heading for Rome Diamond League where he beat Ethiopia’s Selemon Barega to win with 7:26.64 on September 17.

MTN Uganda has rewarded Ugandan long distance runner Joshua Cheptegei ahead of his 10,000m world record assault in Valencia.

Cheptegei smashed Kenenisa Bekele’s long-standing record to become the world record holder in the 5000m with a time 12:35.36 during the Monaco Diamond League meet.

MTN Uganda rewarded him with a token of appreciation totaling over 123 million shillings, coupled with niceties of 12:35:36 GB bundles every year.

The event that was graced by MTN Uganda Chief Executive Officer Wim Vanhelleputte, and Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF) President Dominic Otuchet unfolded at Mbale Resort Hotel.

Otuchet lauded Cheptegei for being a unique person before promising to extend more support in his future competitions as an athlete.

“Joshua set a new world record of 12:35:36 seconds. These are remarkable achievements during lockdown, at a time he hadn’t taken part in any engagements. Joshua is a special person. We are proud of him. Joshua is not done yet.

“Even as we speak now, he is preparing for another race. Joshua will be going for the World record in the half marathon. Before the lockdown, he had planned to break it but the event was postponed. That record is going to fall.”

He added; “Because of Joshua and his teammates we are now respected here and outside. Long Live MTN, Long Live Uganda.”

Vanhelleputte shared his personal history in athletics before calling Cheptegei the face of the brand MTN and UAF are building for the world to know.

“I was also an athlete when I was 15 years old. I managed to do it once but this gentleman has done it more than once. Athletics/running in particular is all about time,” Wim revealed.

“The world record has lasted for 16-years and I just wanted to invite our journalists to appreciate Joshua. This is like Uganda Cranes winning the AFCON. When you look at Kenya, Ethiopia and Jamaica, they are exporting a brand.

“When you look at not only Joshua but the wider community, I think Uganda is building a brand. Joshua is the face of the brand. We are building up a brand and I would really love Uganda to be known all over the world.

“Looking forward to another record in Spain. Today is all about you and in athletics since it’s all about time. We have done two things; we are giving you a special bundle. 12:35:36 GB bundles every year, a unique bundle with calls and SMS.

“And then the second one is we want to show appreciation by giving you a financial reward. What we are doing here is good will.”

He added; “There is no contract, there is no paperwork. We are inviting many other sponsors to come and join the success story. We are handing over a token of appreciation of 123,536,000 UGX.”

Cheptegei expressed gratitude towards MTN’s token of appreciation and all his support team. The 2018 Commonwealth Gold medallist said; “It’s an honour to be recognised by MTN. I want to thank everyone who has been supporting me.

“At first I thought I would become a student athlete but I realized there was more. I want to thank coach Kiwa who supported me at Bugema University. Then also coach Benjamin Njia and Timothy Masaba for the paper work.

“I want to thank the President of Uganda, the first lady and Hamson Obua, the Minister of Sports. When we were preparing, the challenge was how I was going to get out of the country. When I spoke with the ministry, they availed the bombardier. We must also take credit.

“The government is also building a training center in Teryet where we can build many athletes. I have been supporting the junior athletes, every time we have a Christmas run in my village. We need different sponsors to create a conducive environment.”

Cheptegei was aided by pace-making from Roy Hoornweg, Stephen Kissa, and Matthew Ramsden to break Bekele’s 16-year-old record – the longest duration in the history of the event – by almost 2 seconds