"Our golden age is not over": Otuchet backs Uganda's 16-strong team for Copenhagen

Uganda Athletics president Dominic Otuchet has expressed confidence in Uganda's 16-athlete team ahead of the 2026 World Road Running Championships, scheduled for September 19–20 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

"Our golden age is not over because the new athletes on board are also winning medals, like what Charity Cherop did in Oregon," Otuchet said, citing the athletes' experience and adequate preparations at their respective training camps.

The championships are expected to attract 496 elite athletes from 85 countries, including 226 women and 270 men, competing for individual and team honors in the one-mile, 5km, and half-marathon (21km) races. The event, which World Athletics evolved from the World Half Marathon Championships, will also draw approximately 65,000 participants in the mass races, according to Otuchet.

Multiple Olympic and world champion Joshua Cheptegei will captain the Ugandan team. He will be assisted by Charity Cherop, who won 5000m gold and 3000m bronze at the 2026 World U20 Championships in Oregon. Cheptegei and Jacob Kiplimo have previously won the event when it was held as the World Half Marathon Championships.

Otuchet urged the athletes to target fast times, explaining that the change from the World Half Marathon Championships to the World Road Running Championships has also brought changes in competition format and logistics. The championships now feature the 21km, 5km, and one-mile races, with Uganda fielding athletes in all three categories. According to Otuchet, the rules require Uganda to field both a male and female athlete in the 5km and one-mile races.

National Council of Sports (NCS) technical official James Kasumba flagged off the team on behalf of the NCS General Secretary. Kasumba hailed Athletics Uganda for selecting experienced coaches Alex Malinga and Grace Chesang, both former national marathon champions with extensive long-distance running backgrounds.

"I thank the Athletics Uganda technical committee for choosing seasoned runners Alex Malinga and Grace Chesang. We know they have imparted the best skills into the athletes," Kasumba said.

He urged the team to fight for podium finishes, warning established stars such as Cheptegei that they will face strong competition from foreign athletes. Kasumba also encouraged the debutants not to be intimidated, saying they could surprise the field and finish on the podium.

The 5km and one-mile races will be held on Saturday, while the half marathon will climax the championships on Sunday.