Cheptegei set a world record of 5000 meters – VG

Joshua Cheptegei (23) from Uganda had a stated goal of breaking the world record of Kenenisa Bekele from 2004 at 12.37.35 in Monaco. And the Ugandans then fulfilled to that degree.

The 23-year-old’s best time on the track before tonight’s race was over 20 seconds behind the world record holder from Ethiopia, but a race from February gave notice that something was in the works. Earlier this year, Cheptegei set a world record in the 5000 meter street race at 12.51.

Now he also has it on track with the time 12.35.37.

– This is running the world has never seen! exclaimed NRK commentator Jann Post.

72 runners in the world had run faster than Cheptegei before the race in Monaco. Tonight’s race is a serious scare shot before a possible Olympics next summer.

– He announced it early. He trained and he finished, says Jann Post about the record race.

– If there is one who does not collapse and is unable to complete, it is Cheptegei, said Vebjørn Rodal as the runner from Uganda was halfway through the last turn.

The former Olympic champion from Norway pointed out that Cheptegei has lived under strict corona restrictions in his home country and has had to spend a lot of time resting between training sessions.

Ingebrigtsen broke

Henrik Ingebrigtsen was this year’s fastest in the world at 5000 meters before Friday’s race in Monaco. The Norwegian impressed during the Boysen Memorial in Oslo, but in the principality he faced far tougher competition.

Ingebrigtsen has struggled with injuries over the years, but during the corona period has not run the elder of the running brothers over a single training session. It provided opportunities for a good time, but the 29-year-old broke the race in Monaco.

– What happened to Henrik? He is not the one who volunteers. I hope there is no damage here, says Jann Post about Henrik Ingebrigtsen.

Norwegian Per Svela finished on 13.23.97 – over 11 seconds better than his personal record. According to Jann Post, he passes with that Arne Kvalheim on the list of the best Norwegian runners of all time and enters in 12th place.