Joshua Cheptegei made a winning return to Uganda’s national team at a global championship, claiming bronze in the men’s half marathon at the World Athletics Road Running Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Cheptegei crossed the finish line in 58:26, taking 55 seconds off his previous personal best of 59:21.
Sweden’s Andreas Almgren won gold in a European record of 58:06, while Kenya’s Nicholas Kipkorir took silver in 58:11.
The race remained closely contested for most of the distance, with Cheptegei staying with the leading group before Almgren and Kipkorir broke away in the final stages.
Almgren produced the strongest finish to secure the world title, while Cheptegei held on to take third place and Uganda’s bronze medal.
The performance marked Cheptegei’s first appearance for Uganda at a global championship since the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, where he won the men’s 10,000m gold medal.
The 29-year-old had previously spoken about his desire to return to international competition for Uganda, with the half marathon forming part of his transition towards a marathon career.
“I am so excited that I ran a personal best and also brought a medal for Uganda,” Cheptegei said.
The bronze adds another major international medal to Cheptegei’s decorated career, which includes Olympic and World Championship titles in the 10,000m and world records in the 5,000m and 10,000m.
He had previously finished fourth in the men’s half marathon at the 2020 World Half Marathon Championships in Gdynia, Poland.
