Uganda's Joshua Cheptegei Sets New 10km Race World Record

Joshua Cheptegei of Uganda has set a new record after winning the 10km road race in Valencia, Spain. The Ugandan long-distance runner made history after posting a time of 26 minutes 38 seconds. His time of completion smashed the previous world record held since 2010 by his Kenyan counterpart, Leonard Komon by six seconds.

The World Athletics Federation took to Twitter to announce and congratulate the new champion, Joseph Cheptegei on the feat. 

Cheptegei also made a post on the popular social media platform saying:

"World cross champion, 10,000m world champion and now the world record. What a year it has been.

"I can't believe it! I knew Valencia was going to be a really fast course. So to get to achieve what we came here for is something really special." 

Cheptegei started the race behind compatriots Stephen Kissa and Abdallah Mande. A determined Cheptegei reached 6km in 16:02 and 7km in 18:42. He forged on, reaching 8km in 21:37 when it became clear that the world record was within reach.

You will recall that the 23-year old is also the reigning 10,000m champion- a crown he won in Doha in October, having won the 10km cross country world title in Denmark in March.

"It's a special moment to crown the year with yet another important achievement What a year 2019 to end with a 10km #worldrecord Special credit to my family, #pacemakers 

"And all my training partners What a moment for #Kapchorwa, #Uganda and the rest of the #World Thank you"; he went further to say.

Congratulations to the new world Champion.

Bio:

Joshua Kiprui Cheptegei is a Ugandan long-distance runner. In 2017 he became the Silver medallist in the 10000 m run at the World Championship in London. 

In 2018 he set a world record for the 15 km road race and became the World Cross Country champion in 2019.

He is 23 years old (Source: Wikipedia)

Header Image Credit: BBC