Cheptegei finishes second in the Netherlands

Joshua Cheptegei returned to action at the weekend by finishing second at the 32nd Dam tot Damloop 10 mile race in Netherlands.

Cheptegei, fresh from finishing sixth at the Rio Olympics, clocked 45.38 minutes in the race won by Kenya's Edwin Kiptoo in 45.23.

The International Association of Athletics Federations Silver Label road race had competitors running from Amsterdam to the northern Dutch city of Zandaam.

"It was a tough race, but also a good start to the coming season," stated the 2014 world junior 10000m champion shortly after return on Tuesday.

It was the second straight win for Kiptoo but unlike in last year's victory, Cheptegei didn't allow the Kenyan to lead throughout.

Cheptegei was at the sixth kilometer mark in charge. "Towards the end he (Kiptoo) engaged a stronger gear and surged to victory," stated Cheptegei.

Abrar Osman from Eritrea was third in 46.12. The women's race was won by another Kenyan Alice Aprot in 29:53.51.

Aprot, who was fourth at the Rio Olympics last month, was this time in charge for the entire race.

This was a better performance for Cheptegei having finished fourth in the same race in 2014.