Joshua Cheptegei defends his choice of Eliud Kipchoge as the greatest marathoner

Joshua Cheptegei has shared why he thinks Eliud Kipchoge is the greatest marathoner as he gears to emulate the Kenyan at the Valencia Marathon.

Reigning world 10,000m champion Joshua Cheptegei is keen to follow in the footsteps of former world marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge as he eyes an Olympic return and debut at the Valencia Marathon.

Cheptegei will be keen to apply some of the tactics he has gathered from Kipchoge, who is his role model. Kipchoge also made a switch from the track to the marathon and he has since been successful in his races.

Cheptegei will also be keen to follow in the footsteps of his compatriot Stephen Kiprotich who is a gold medallist in both world and Olympic marathons.

“For me, Eliud is the greatest…he's one of the guys that inspired me a lot when I was starting up my career and up to now, his legacy still inspires me a lot.

"We normally share whenever there’s an opportunity and I'm always grateful that his words have shaped me over the years, and he is always keeping an eye on me and guiding me in a good way.

"I wanted to shift from the track after the 2020 Olympic Games, but Stephen told me to stay longer.

"Stephen has been one of the guiding pillars, of the timing for the marathon, and this year he gave me the green light.

"He (told me) you can test yourself in a race and if you have challenges, you can bounce back on the track again after maybe six or seven months,” Cheptegei said as per Olympics.com.

After making his debut at the Valencia Marathon, Cheptegei intends to make a comeback to the track at the Paris Olympics next year following his new challenge.

He made his debut at the Olympic Games in Rio, where he finished sixth in the 10,000m and eighth in the 5000m.

He then returned to the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games where he won the 5000m and finished second in the 10,000m.

“It looks like I'm almost done on the track, but not yet done. I am still in love with the 10,000m and still want to go to Paris and win the 10,000m.

"And maybe the outcome in Valencia will (determine) if I do the 10km and the marathon…It could be something to venture into,” Cheptegei said.

posted Tuesday November 21st
by Abigael Wuafula