Joshua Cheptegei won the 2026 Burj2Burj Half Marathon in Dubai on Sunday, February 8, clocking 59:26 to lead a competitive international field and continue his transition from track dominance to road racing.
Running on Dubai’s flat course, the Ugandan distance star edged a tightly contested finish, with Kenya’s Nicholas Kipkorir second in 59:28 and Tanzania’s Alphonce Simbu third in 59:30. The race drew about 13,700 runners, with the leading trio separated by just four seconds at the line.
The victory forms part of Cheptegei’s preparations for the 2026 TCS London Marathon as he focuses on building endurance and speed through half marathon races.
He shifted his primary focus to road running after the 2024 Paris Olympics, targeting long distance events including the marathon.
Cheptegei is expected to face a strong elite field in London, including fellow Ugandan Jacob Kiplimo, the Chicago Marathon champion, in what shapes up as a notable clash among top distance runners.
The marathon is scheduled for April 26, starting at Greenwich Park and Blackheath before finishing on The Mall in central London.
