Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei reveals how Kipchoge help*d shape his c*reer

Olympic 5000m champion Joshua Cheptegei has revealed the role Eliud Kipchoge has played in his career as an athlete.

According to Cheptegei in an interview with BBC Africa, Kipchoge has been giving him kind words and has been keeping an eye on him and guiding him.

Cheptegei inspired

Besides the guidance, Cheptegei says Kipchoge's legacy inspired him when he was starting his career.

"Kipchoge inspired me a lot when I was starting up my career, his legacy inspires me," Cheptegei told BBC.

"His kind words have always been able to shape me over the days and years. Eliud is always keeping an eye on me, always guiding us in a good way," he added.

Cheptegei is set to make his marathon debut this weekend. Cheptegei, a world record holder in the 5000m and 10,000m, has fond memories of Valencia, where he set world records for the 10km and 10,000m.

He says he will be putting in place some of the things they share with Kipchoge in the Marathon journey.

"It's a great honour to learn from the great. For this special regard, I'm looking forward to putting into use what we always share together," he noted.

Cheptegei competition

In the highly anticipated Valencia Marathon Trinidad Alfonso, a prestigious World Athletics Elite Platinum Label event scheduled for Sunday, six Kenyan athletes are gearing up to compete against the formidable pair of Cheptegei and the legendary Kenenisa Bekele.

Among the standout Kenyan contenders, Kibiwott Kandie and Alexander Mutiso are considered the favorites.

Kandie, a three-time champion of the Valencia Half Marathon, recently showcased remarkable form by finishing in 57:40, a mere nine seconds shy of his world record.

Mutiso, who made an impressive marathon debut in Valencia last year, clinching third place with a time of 2:03:29, is expected to be a strong contender.

The Kenyan representation also includes Titus Kipruto, boasting a personal best of 2:04:54, Mohamed Esa Huseydin, and debutantes Stephen Kiprop and Stanley Kurgat.

Leading the Ethiopian contingent is the legendary Bekele, ranked third on the world all-time list. Bekele is determined to make a comeback after an unfinished run in the London Marathon earlier this year. The Valencia Marathon marks the first-ever showdown between Bekele and Cheptegei, who previously broke Bekele's world records on the track.