Bengaluru quest for Ugandan trio

Since fully switching to marathon running last August, each competitive step for Joshua Cheptegei is well-measured.  

His management Global Sports Communication (GSC) - mainly coach Addy Ruiter and manager Youri Verbaas - could have desired more than ninth place at the Tokyo Marathon in Japan on March 2.

Yet, Cheptegei posted two hours, five minutes and 59 minutes, making him the fastest Ugandan marathoner since the April of 2022.

And guess what? Eight weeks later, Cheptegei is already back in shape for a challenge. The Bengaluru 10K events requested for his participation and he is entered for the road event which happens in the early hours of Sunday.

“They were asking for him and he recovered quickly from Tokyo,” Ruiter said of Cheptegei’s entry. “And there is enough time before his next marathon preparation will start.”

He is set to feature in the company of training partner Stephen Kissa, who posted 2:09:34 in 25th place in Tokyo. Then teenager Dolphine Chelimo will take on pace-making duties.

Formerly called Bangalore, Bengaluru is the capital and largest city of the southern state of Karnataka in India. And Cheptegei is familiar with this Asian nation now.

This is his second race in the country in six months after winning the Delhi Half-Marathon last October. It is also Cheptegei’s second appearance in Bengaluru, having finished second there during the 2014 edition, a finish which impressed his former manager Jurrie van der Velden.

However, the target is bigger even 11 years later. “Going for the win or podium,” Ruiter said of Cheptegei and the marathon national record holder Kissa.

Kissa also won the Kolkata 25K event in India last December and also ran in Bengaluru in 2016 taking 16th place. His Bengaluru debut was finer with third place in 2017, the same position he got at the 2020 Delhi Half-Marathon.

On paper though, former 10km world record holder at 26 minutes and 38 seconds - Cheptegei - is the favourite but a challenge is expected from Kenyan Vincent Langat who is a 26:55 performer.

There is a chance to attempt something bigger. “Course record. I think they told me 27:27. It will be hard because it will already be 26 degrees Celsius at the start,” added Ruiter.

Meanwhile, Sarah Chelangat is back to training under Ruiter’s program and sessions from coach Denis Okiror and she will be one of the faces in quest of victory in the women’s race.

A national record holder over the 5000 metres and 10000 metres on track, Chelangat boasts of a 10km personal best mark of 30:26 and she is rated fourth behind Kenyan Cintia Chepngeno, Eritrea’s Daniel Rahel and Ethiopian Anley Asmarech in the quest for the podium.

And should the 23-year-old post a time under 30:20.00, Chelangat will have qualified for the 10000-metre final of the Tokyo World Athletics Championships due mid-September.

XIAMEN DIAMOND LEAGUE

UGANDANS IN ACTION - SATURDAY

8am: 5th National Athletics Trials (Namboole)

2.15pm: Winnie Nanyondo (Women’s 5000m)

3.01: Halim Nakaayi (Women's 1000m) 

SUNDAY IN INDIA

Bengaluru 10K: Joshua Cheptegei, Stephen Kissa, Sarah Chelangat (all 10K), Dolphine Chelimo (Pacer)

IN ENGLAND

London Marathon: Stella Chesang, Jacob Kiplimo (both 42km), Abel Sikowo (Pacer)

 ABOUT THE BENGALURU 10K

Location: Bengaluru, India

Event type: Road

Distance: 10 kilometres

Established: 2008

Course records: Men’s: 27:38 (2022) by Nicholas Kimeli (KEN) | Women’s: 30:35 (2022) by Irene Cheptai (KEN) 

CHEPTEGEI AT A GLANCE

Date of birth: September 12, 1996

Major Races: Half-Marathon, Marathon

Personal Bests: 21km (59:21), 42km (2:05:59)

Coach: Addy Ruiter

Manager: Youri Verbaas

Kit Sponsor: Nike

CHEPTEGEI IN 2025

Mar 2: Tokyo Marathon (9th, 2:05:59)

CHEPTEGEI IN 2024

Oct 20: Delhi Half Marathon (1st, 59:46)

Sept 22: Dam tot Damloop (2nd, 45:18)

Aug 2: Paris Olympics 10000m Final (1st, 26:43.14)

May 30: Bislett Games 5000m (9th, 12:51.94)

May 17: LA Grand Prix 5000m (3rd, 12:52.38)

Mar 30: World X-Country (6th, 28:24)

Mar 16: Laredo 10K (2nd, 25:53)

CHEPTEGEI IN 2023

Dec 3: Valencia Marathon (37th, 2:08:59)

Aug 20: Budapest Worlds 10000m Final (1st, 27:51.42)

June 30: Lausanne DL (2nd, 12:41.61)

Jun 2: Florence DL (4th, 12:53.81)

Mar 19: New York Half-Marathon (2nd, 1:02:09)

Feb 18: World X-Country (3rd, 29:37)

ROAD TO TOKYO 2025 WORLD CHAMPS - UGANDAN MARATHONERS

MEN’S QUALIFICATION

1 Joshua Cheptegei (Tokyo Marathon, 9th, 2:05:59, Mar 2, 2024)

2 Stephen Kissa (Osaka Marathon, 2nd, 2:06:22, Feb 25, 2024)

Entry Standard: 2:06:30, Qualifying window: Nov 5, 2023 - May 4, 2025

WOMEN’S QUALIFICATION

1 Stella Chesang (Valencia Marathon, 2nd, 2:18:26 on Dec 1, 2024)

Entry Standard: 2:23:30, Qualifying window: Nov 5, 2023 - May 4, 2025