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gandan long-distance sensation 2020. The Valencia Marathon Trinidad Alfonso,
Joshua Cheptegei clinched anoth- a World Athletics Platinum Label road race, is Uganda Gazelles
er gold medal at the 2023 World renowned for its fast course and has produced
Athletics Championships in impressive times in recent years.
UBudapest, Hungary, solidifying his Before making his marathon debut, Cheptegei
status as one of the all-time greats in the world has also embraced noble causes in his home Shine at Women's
of distance running. Cheptegei dominated the country. The United Nations Development Pro-
10,000m race, finishing in a swift 27:51.42, leav- gramme (UNDP) collaborated with the Joshua
ing Kenyan Daniel Simiu Ebenyo and Ethiopian Cheptegei Development Foundation (JOCDEF) AfroBasket 2023
Selemon Barega trailing in his wake, crossing to launch the UNDP Elgon Half Marathon,
the line in 27:52.60 and 27:52.72, respectively. a sporting event aimed at promoting the
Cheptegei, the reigning world record holder Elgon region in Uganda as a premier tour-
in both the 10,000m and 5,000m, attributed ism destination. This initiative empha-
his victory to meticulous preparation and sizes the importance of climate ac-
training, lauding his coaches for their tion and biodiversity conservation
role in his success. His triumph in in the region. Set against the
Budapest not only add- backdrop of Mount Elgon
ed another gold

medal to his impressive collection but also National Park, the marathon will take
marked his third consecutive world 10,000m place in Mbale City on October 28, 2023, offering
title, putting him in the same league as legend- races of 5km, 10km, and 21km. Interested partic-
ary distance runners like Haile Gebrselassie, ipants can register for a 30,000 UGX fee, which
Kenenisa Bekele, and Mo Farah. includes an official running kit, medals, and
With a debut marathon in Valencia on De- potential prizes. Notably, various
cember 3, 2023, Cheptegei is set to expand his government entities and private
horizons beyond the track. He expressed his sector companies, including the
excitement about the new challenge and hinted Ministry of Tourism and the
This might be my last
at his aim to participate in track events at the championships on the Uganda Tourism Board, have
2024 Paris Olympics. Valencia holds a special track. That’s why this gold rallied behind this initiative,
place in Cheptegei's heart, having set two world medal means even more.” further solidifying Cheptegei's
records there—the former world 10km record in Joshua Cheptegei impact beyond the track.
2019 and the current world 10,000m record in