Uganda’s Olympic champion, Joshua Cheptegei, has showcased his exceptional talent by winning the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon in India, finishing with an impressive time of 59 minutes and 46 seconds.
Cheptegei, the world record holder for the 10,000 meters, outpaced Kenya’s Alex Matata, who secured second place with a time of 59 minutes and 50 seconds. Matata’s fellow countryman, Nicholas Kipkorir, completed the podium, finishing third in 59 minutes and 57 seconds.
In a thrilling finish, Cheptegei unleashed a powerful sprint in the final 500 meters to fend off the Kenyan challengers, crossing the finish line with a mix of joy and gratitude.
Reflecting on his achievement, Cheptegei credited his victory to the courage and self-motivation he gained from overcoming challenges. “It’s another milestone, and I want to give God thanks for enabling me to confront and learn from these new marathon challenges,” he remarked in a post-race interview.
He further expressed enthusiasm for participating in more half marathons before tackling the full 42-kilometer distance.