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Timothy Cheruiyot shares key reason why he loves competing against Jakob Ingebrigtsen

Timothy Cheruiyot has explained why he loves running against his track rivals, singling out Jakob Ingebrigtsen as one of his favourite.

Former world 1500m champion Timothy Cheruiyot has opened up for his love competing against track rival Jakob Ingebrigtsen.

Cheruiyot and Ingebrigtsen were in action at the Diamond League Meeting in Oslo, where they went head-to-head to the finish line with the Norwegian middle-distance runner dramatically diving over the line to take the top prize.

The two-time world 5000m champion crossed the line in a world leading time of 3:29.74 ahead of Cheruiyot who came in close second in 3:29.77. Frenchman Azeddine Habz sealed the podium, clocking an astonishing season best time of 3:30.80 to cross the finish line.

Cheruiyot, the Olympic Games silver medallist, noted that he loves competing against talented athletes like Ingebrigtsen who usually push him to the limit. Going into Oslo, Cheruiyot had high expectations to win the race but expressed satisfaction with his second-place finish.

He has been out with an injury bout but is slowly coming back to competing and will certainly be a force to reckon with.

“Racing with my compatriot, Jakob - it makes me happy, he's a strong guy and he finished fast today. I'm glad to be here in Oslo for the second time, the track is amazing.

“I was expecting the win but I'm satisfied I managed to run under 3:30 today. Now, I'm going home to prepare for the Kenyan trials - I need to finish in the top three.

“For the last nine months, I've been injured so I need to focus on training more to improve my fitness ahead of Paris, where I hope to get another medal for my country,” Cheruiyot said.

He opened his season with a second-place finish at the Diamond League Meeting in Doha before doubling in the 1500m and 800m at the National Championships.