Joshua Cheptegei returns

Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei, the world record holder for the 5000 metres and 10,000m events will compete in the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon. Also, Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir, the London Marathon Champion and former Half Marathon world record holder, will toe the line. The race, a World Athletics Gold Label event, will take place on Sunday, October 20th.

Cheptegei is the reigning Olympic champion in the 10,000m in a new Olympic record of 26:43.14. He is also a three-time World champion in the 10,000m and claimed gold in both the 5000m and 10,000m at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. He won the 2019 World Athletics World Cross Country Championships.

Notably, Cheptegei is only the tenth man in history to simultaneously hold the 5000m and 10,000m world records. Both of which he set in 2020. He also holds the world’s best-known time over a 15km distance.

Interestingly, Cheptegei made his international debut in India at the TCS World 10K Bengaluru 2014, finishing second. His return to India for the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon promises to be a highlight of this year’s race.

Speaking about his return to India Joshua said, “This country holds a special place in my heart, as it’s where I made my international debut in 2014. It’s been a good season for me, and I am certainly looking at a course-record timing at the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon.
The energy and passion of the Indian running community are truly inspiring, and I’m excited to be part of this prestigious event.”

Heading the women’s field is Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir

Peres Jepchirchir, a former Half-Marathon world record holder, has won the World Half Marathon Championship three times. She is also the current London Marathon 2024 winner with 2:16:16 secs, breaking the women’s only Marathon world record. Peres also won the
TCS World 10K Bengaluru in the 2016 edition.

Both Jepchirchir and Joshua Cheptegei aim to break the half-marathon world records at the upcoming event. Jepchirchir once held the half-marathon record with a time of 65:06 in 2017 and is eager to reclaim it in Delhi. Joshua’s best time for the half-marathon is 59:21, set in 2020.

Vivek Singh, Jt. MD, Procam International, said, “The Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon has truly put India on the global map of running and having participation from running royalty like Joshua Cheptegei and Peres Jepchirchir is a testament to the global stature of the
event. On Sunday, 20th October Delhi will shine as we come together for a better tomorrow.”

Notably, since 2020, the Ethiopian runners Amdework Walelegn (58:53) and Yalemzerf Yehualaw (64:46) have held the event records in Delhi.

For more information about the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon 2024: vedantadelhihalfmarathon.procam.in/

The USD 260,000 prize money course takes place at the historic Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, which runs through the heart of Delhi. It also passes many other sights of the city, including the India Gate and the Kartavya Path. The International Elite winners in the men’s and
women’s categories will take home USD 27,000 each and the prize money includes the top 10 finishers in both. In addition to this, there is an Event Record Bonus of USD 12,000.

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