Uganda’s long-distance runner, Joshua Cheptegei on Wednesday night broke the long-standing 10,000 metre world record in Valencia. Posting 26:11.0 at the Turia stadium in Valencia in Spain, Cheptegei ensured he slashed the decade long record held by Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele by six seconds to set a new record. This was the fourth feat achieved by the 24- year- old Ugandan long-distance runner after breaking the 10km road record in December, the 5km record in February and the 5000m record on August,14 in Monaco.
The Wednesday victory meant that Cheptegei, the reigning World Cross-country, double Commonwealth, 5000m Diamond League and world 10000m champion has achieved the feat in less than a year. “I think this [latest feat] lays a foundation of what can still happen and what I want to achieve in the years to come,” he told an interview after the Wednesday race. “This performance means something great to me. We are trying to write history on the track again because we want to make people know that the track is still exciting and we want to give it all so that the sports lovers in the world have the benefit of the time by seeing us now.”
President Museveni joined a host of many other Ugandans to congratulate Cheptegei on the achievement. “Congratulations to Joshua Cheptegei for setting a new 10,000m world record in Valencia. Uganda is proud of you as you continue to hoist our flag high,” Museveni tweeted.
