Cheptegei in high spirits ahead of 10Km World Record challenge in San Silvestre

Cheptegei has been confirmed for the 10Km San Silvestre Vallecana road race, a tough course that will be place him in contention with fellow elite athletes in the grand closing race of the season. The race will be held at 18:30 EAT.

“Great to be back in one of my favourite countries . Ready for tomorrow’s 10k at San Silvestre Madrid”, he tweeted.

Training partner and NN Running team member Jacob Kiplimo holds the event record set in 2018 at 26:39 while the World Record stands at 26:24 set by Kenyan star Rhonex Kipruto in 2020.

Joshua Cheptegi embraces Oscar Chelimo after qualification in the 5,000m heats. Courtesy Photo Pulse

A number of elite athletes are yet to be confirmed for the race but Cheptegei is expected to face stiff competition from defending course champion Mohammed Katir, the Spanish middle-distance athlete who will be returning to defend the title on home soil having won it last year.

The World record holder in the 5000m and 10000m and Olympic 5000m gold medalist from Tokyo 2020 had opted of competitive race since the 2022 World Athletics Championships, Oregon, Eugene where he sustained an injury.

He would skip the 2022 Commonwealth Games and hence lose the opportunity to defend his 5,000m and 10,000m titles which were won by compatriot Jacob Kiplimo.

EUGENE, OREGON - JULY 17: Gold medalist Joshua Cheptegei of Team Uganda, silver medalist Stanley Waithaka Mburu of Team Kenya and bronze medalist Jacob Kiplimo of Team Uganda celebrate after the Men's 10,000m Final on day three of the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 at Hayward Field on July 17, 2022 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images for World Athletics) Pulse Live Kenya

He also skipped the Great North Run, Newcastle, United Kingdom preferring to concentrate on his fitness and full recovery.

Locally, he also skipped the National Cross-country championships, the precursor qualification event for the World Cross Country Championships.

A number of top elite athletes majorly Kenya, Ethiopia, New Zealand, among others are expected to take part in the grand closure of a packed athletics season with a chance at the course record and World Record all for grabs.