Joshua Cheptegei is set to lead Team Uganda at the 2026 World Athletics Road Running Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark, for the men’s half marathon.
The 28-year-old starboy is scheduled to race on September 20 as part of his crucial preparations for the marathon.
Cheptegei has been training in Kapchorwa under coach Addy Ruiter to build the fitness required for the 21.0975km race.
The Copenhagen championships will bring together the world’s leading road runners on September 19 and 20.
The elite half marathon is expected to be one of the main highlights of the championships on a specially designed course.
The race comes at a vital stage in Cheptegei’s transition from track and cross-country to longer road races.
Uganda Athletics is yet to officially name the 12 athletes and officials who will represent the country.
The federation recently held selection trials in Tororo on August 15 to assess athletes across three championship distances.
"We shall unleash the squad as soon as we are done with the technical meeting, now that we’ve already carried out a selection trial," Paul Okello, the organising secretary, said.
Isa Kosgei, a coach at Uganda Prisons Athletics Club, believes the quality of competition in Tororo proves Uganda will field a strong team.
World Athletics expects about 65,000 runners to participate in the championships and mass-participation races.
The championships will feature world titles for the one-mile, 5km and half-marathon races.
When will the full Uganda team be announced?
The final squad will be announced after the technical team completes its deliberations following the trials held in Tororo.
- Event: 2026 World Athletics Road Running Championships
- Venue: Copenhagen, Denmark
- Key Date: September 20 (Half Marathon)
- Total Participants: 65,000
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Source: Uganda Observer
