Cheptegei hits personal best

Jul 08, 2017

With the world's biggest track and field event on the horizon, the 5000m and 10,000m runner, chalked up a new personal best over 5000m.

World Athletics Championships 
Venue: London 
Dates: August 3-14

 
Lausanne Diamond League 
5000m results 
1. Muktar Edris (ETH) 12:55.23
2. Selemon Barega (ETH) 12:55.58
3. Joshua Cheptegei 12:59.83
 
Joshua Cheptegei has continued to pick form in his buildup to the IAAF World Athletics Championships in London. 
 
With the world's biggest track and field event on the horizon, the 5000m and 10,000m runner, chalked up a new personal best over 5000m. 
 
Racing at the Lausanne Diamond League on Thursday night, Cheptegei lined up against athletes from distance running aristocrats Kenya and Ethiopia. After staying in the chasing pack for the first nine laps, Cheptegei burst ahead at the 4000m mark in a race which appeared to be headed for a tight finish. 
 
Unfortunately for Cheptegei, he lost the lead shortly to Ethiopian Muktar Edris who won in 12:55.23, the world's best performance of the year. Edris' compatriot Selemon Barnegat came in second, clocking 12:55.58 and Cheptegei third in a new personal best of 12:59.83. 
 
Uganda Athletics Federation president Domenec Otuchet was elated by the young athlete's performance. 
 
"That was an impressive performance and I am looking forward to having him on our London bound team," he said. 
Cheptegei, who will be 21 on September 12, is already qualified for the Worlds where he will feature in the 5000m and 10,000m.

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