Uganda’s long-distance star Joshua Cheptegei is set to begin his 2026 campaign on the roads of Dubai, where he will line up for the Burj2Burj Half Marathon on February 8.
Fresh from victory at the Tata Steel Kolkata Road Race in India, Cheptegei says he is focused on building momentum early in the season as he looks to improve on last year’s performances. The Olympic champion believes a strong opening race will set the tone for what he hopes will be a successful year.
Cheptegei explained that half marathons now play a key role in his training as he continues to shift away from track events and prepares for full marathons. He noted that the races help him build speed and endurance as he adapts to longer distances.
The 5,000m and 10,000m world record holder is still finding his footing in the marathon. He made his debut in Valencia in 2023 and later recorded a personal best time of 2:04:52 after finishing fifth at the Amsterdam Marathon last year—an improvement he views as a positive sign.
The Dubai race is expected to be highly competitive. Cheptegei will go up against Kenya’s Nicholas Kipkorir, a proven half-marathon winner, and Tanzania’s Alphonce Simbu, a world champion with a strong pedigree on the road.
