Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei announces his retirement from track events to pursue a marathon career, as confirmed during a press conference for the 2025 Tokyo Marathon. At 28, he has achieved notable successes in track but is eager for new challenges in marathon running. His debut marathon saw a less-than-ideal performance, but he aims for personal bests in the upcoming race against formidable competitors.
Joshua Cheptegei, the renowned Ugandan runner, is transitioning from track events to focus on marathons. At a press conference for the 2025 Tokyo Marathon, he confirmed his decision to retire from track racing, stating, “I’ll miss track, but I have to leave.” At just 28, Cheptegei has an impressive track record, including multiple Olympic medals and a world record in the 10,000m, but now seeks new challenges in marathon running.
During his illustrious career, Cheptegei notched three Olympic medals, two gold and one silver, and set a world record in the 10,000m with a time of 26:11 at the Monaco Diamond League in 2020. However, he admitted that after years of competing, he is ready to explore a different part of his life through marathon running.
In the upcoming Tokyo Marathon, Cheptegei aims to improve upon his previous marathon debut experience, where he placed 37th in 2:08:59. He plans to keep pace with competitors such as last year’s champion, Benson Kipruto, and Deresa Geleta, both of whom have set impressive marathon times. “I’ll miss the track, but I have to leave,” he reiterated, underscoring his commitment to this new journey.
Alongside Cheptegei, Kenya’s Benson Kipruto and Ethiopia’s Sutume Kebede will also be competing in the marathon. Kebede is returning to defend her title from last year, where she finished with a record time of 2:15:55, attracting significant attention as a strong contender in the women’s race. Notably, the women’s marathon field includes nine athletes who have run under 2:20.
Interested viewers can watch the Tokyo Marathon live on FloTrack, starting at 7:00 p.m. ET, with the race kicking off at 7:10 p.m. ET. This event represents a pivotal moment for both seasoned athletes and newcomers in the sport.
Joshua Cheptegei’s shift from track to marathons marks a significant change in his athletic career, driven by a desire for new challenges after an impressive track history. With aspirations to break personal records in upcoming marathons, Cheptegei’s transition highlights the dynamic nature of professional athletics. The Tokyo Marathon promises exhilarating competition, featuring other top runners set to defend their titles.
Original Source: runningmagazine.ca
