Latest news with #AntrimCoastHalfMarathon
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cheptegei to run in Antrim Coast Half Marathon
Olympic champion Joshua Cheptegei is to compete in the Antrim Coast Half Marathon on Sunday 24 August. The 28-year-old Ugandan won gold in the 10,000m at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, setting a new Olympic record in the process, and holds the world record at 5,000m and 10,000m. He is the reigning three-time world champion in the 10,000m and also won gold in the 5,000m in the 2020 Olympics. Cheptegei says he is "very excited" to make his debut in the event. "I've watched the race on television and the course looks beautiful and very fast," he said. "My teammates both hold the course record and now it's my turn to run here." Race director James McIlroy said Cheptegei's involvement is the "culmination of a few years' hard work behind the scenes". "To have the reigning double Olympic champion and double world record holder headline a very fast race, we believe it to be the fastest in the world, it's going to be fantastic," McIlroy told BBC Sport NI. McIlroy explained that previous attempts had been made to bring Cheptegei to the event. "This isn't the first conversation we've had on it. He was going to come for a couple of years but the diary had to suit timing wise. "Obviously the Olympic Games last year in which he was retaining his title didn't help us for 2024. "Once he confirmed the Amsterdam marathon, we were confirmed as well, which was fantastic news for us." McIlroy is expecting other big names to sign up for this year's event but acknowledges Cheptegei will be the main attraction. "Effectively what you have got is the most high-profile runner in the world currently running on one of the most beautiful roads in the world. "We know he's bringing two pacemakers. He has said he's going to run a very fast time by his own admission. "He has run two half marathons in the last two years, one in New York City and one in New Delhi. They are both massive races so to be featured in the same breath as those races is fantastic."
Belfast Telegraph
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
‘It's my turn': Two-time Olympic gold medallist confirmed for Antrim Coast Half Marathon
The Ugandan, who won gold in both the 5,000m and 10,000m at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, will take to the start line for the race on Sunday August 24. As well as being a two-time Olympic champion, Cheptegei also holds the world record in both distances and will be one of the favourites to win around the Antrim coast. 'I'm very excited to come to Ireland for the first time and run at the Antrim Coast Half Marathon. I've watched the race on television and the course looks beautiful and very fast. My teammates both hold the course record and now it's my turn to run here,' said Cheptegei. The race, which was founded in 2020, has grown exponentially in the last five years to become one of the top races of its kind around the world, with over 6,000 runners expected to take part this year. Past winners have included British hero Mo Farah on the men's side, while Ethiopia's Yalemzerf Yehualaw is aiming to win her fourth title on the women's side this year. But the acquisition of Cheptegei for the field will add another dimension to the event, which this year is anticipating participants from over 40 countries. 'This is the very first time Joshua has been to Ireland. It's such an honour to welcome him to the north coast of Antrim where he will join thousands of people to run the Antrim Coast Half Marathon course,' said race organiser James McIlroy. "We are sure he will be running with a win in mind so as a spectator this is going to be a thrilling experience. 'Everyone who takes part in the 2025 Antrim Coast Half Marathon gets to say they raced against the reigning double Olympic champion, four-time world champion and current world record holder over both the 5,000m and 10,000m distances. That's the sort of bragging rights runners live for. 'Joshua is coming here to win, but also to inspire. Whether you're a young runner in Belfast or a seasoned club athlete from further afield, seeing a legend like Cheptegei compete in your backyard is a once-in-a-generation moment.'
BBC News
23-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Cheptegei to run in Antrim Coast Half Marathon
Olympic champion Joshua Cheptegei is to compete in the Antrim Coast Half Marathon on Sunday 24 28-year-old Ugandan won gold in the 10,000m at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, setting a new Olympic record in the process, and holds the world record at 5,000m and 10,000m. He is the reigning three-time world champion in the 10,000m and also won gold in the 5,000m in the 2020 says he is "very excited" to make his debut in the event. "I've watched the race on television and the course looks beautiful and very fast," he said. "My teammates both hold the course record and now it's my turn to run here." 'Most high-profile runner in the world' Race director James McIlroy said Cheptegei's involvement is the "culmination of a few years' hard work behind the scenes". "To have the reigning double Olympic champion and double world record holder headline a very fast race, we believe it to be the fastest in the world, it's going to be fantastic," McIlroy told BBC Sport NI. McIlroy explained that previous attempts had been made to bring Cheptegei to the event. "This isn't the first conversation we've had on it. He was going to come for a couple of years but the diary had to suit timing wise."Obviously the Olympic Games last year in which he was retaining his title didn't help us for 2024."Once he confirmed the Amsterdam marathon, we were confirmed as well, which was fantastic news for us."McIlroy is expecting other big names to sign up for this year's event but acknowledges Cheptegei will be the main attraction."Effectively what you have got is the most high-profile runner in the world currently running on one of the most beautiful roads in the world."We know he's bringing two pacemakers. He has said he's going to run a very fast time by his own admission."He has run two half marathons in the last two years, one in New York City and one in New Delhi. They are both massive races so to be featured in the same breath as those races is fantastic."
