Olympic and world champion Joshua Cheptegei has expressed his excitement ahead of his debut at the Antrim Coast Half Marathon, scheduled for Sunday, 24 August.
Cheptegei said he is “very excited” to compete in the race, which he has long admired. “I’ve watched the race on television and the course looks beautiful and very fast,” he said. “My team-mates both hold the course record and now it’s my turn to run here.”
The Ugandan star, who won 10,000m gold at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris and holds world records in both the 5,000m and 10,000m, is aiming to make a strong impression in his first appearance at the Northern Ireland event.
Race director James McIlroy hailed Cheptegei’s participation as a major milestone. “To have the reigning double Olympic champion and double world record holder headline a very fast race… it’s going to be fantastic,” he told BBC Sport.
McIlroy noted that efforts to bring Cheptegei to the Antrim Coast had been ongoing for years. “He was going to come for a couple of years but the diary had to suit,” he said. “Once he confirmed the Amsterdam Marathon, we were confirmed as well, which was fantastic news for us.”
Cheptegei is expected to be the star attraction in what organisers hope will be a competitive field. He will bring two pacemakers and has already indicated he plans to chase a fast time.
The Ugandan distance great has raced two half marathons in the past two years, New York City and New Delhi, and is now set to bring his pedigree to Northern Ireland’s scenic coastline.
