Joshua Cheptegei Dominates Absa Run Your City 10K in Durban

Ugandan athletics icon Joshua Cheptegei showcased his prowess by winning the Absa Run Your City 10K in Durban on Sunday. Cheptegei established an early lead on the quick seaside track and maintained it throughout, finishing in a swift 27 minutes and 19 seconds. This performance placed him ten seconds ahead of Kenya’s Salem Kibet, who came in second, and ahead of fellow Ugandan Emmanuel Kibet, who secured third place.

The race saw Cheptegei pass the halfway mark at a strong 13:48. He gradually extended his lead over the rest of the field. His winning time was remarkably close to the South African All-Comers record of 27:16, a time he himself set on the same course back in 2018.

Cheptegei aimed to break the 27-minute barrier on African soil, a significant milestone. While he didn’t achieve that specific goal, he demonstrated a powerful finishing kick to claim his third Absa Run Your City Durban 10K title. He expressed his satisfaction with the win and his race strategy, noting his fondness for Durban and the incredible fan support.

Emmanuel Kibet’s third-place finish further highlighted Uganda’s strength in distance running. He spoke of the pride in sharing the podium with Cheptegei and expressed confidence for future international events.

Officials from the Uganda Athletics Federation praised the athletes’ performances, reinforcing Uganda’s status as a leading nation in long-distance running. They commended Cheptegei’s enduring legacy and Kibet’s promising talent, underscoring the effectiveness of the country’s development programs.

This victory serves as a significant confidence booster for Cheptegei as he prepares for upcoming major marathon championships later in the season.

Source: The Observer (Uganda) https://observer.ug/news/cheptegei-wins-south-africas-absa-run-your-city