Joshua Cheptegei sets new Absa Run Your City Durban 10km course record

Although the two-time Olympic champion fell short of his goal of becoming the first athlete to run a sub-27-minute 10km on African soil, he remained upbeat and praised the organisers for creating a fast course capable of producing historic performances. Kenya's Salem Kibet finished second in 27:29, while Uganda's Emanuel Kibet completed the podium in 27:32. 

Cheptegei admitted that having a pace-setter for the opening five kilometres would have helped his attempt, but said he never asked the organisers to provide one. 

"Well, I'm so happy to be here again, running in the streets of Durban. And for me to come here and run with an incredible field is really spectacular. And my goal was to run a sub 27, but it wasn't possible today," said Cheptegei

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"Maybe we needed like a pacemaker to take us through up to 5k and then maybe speed up again later. But for me to come and win again in a new course record is really, I'm really happy and excited. And it gives me a lot of motivation moving forward towards my next goal."

The three-time world champion believes a sub-27-minute run in Africa is still within reach. 

The 30-year-old says that with another opportunity and a little more assistance during the race, the historic barrier can still be broken on the continent.

The world record holder over both 5 000m and 10 000m explained where his challenge for a sub-27-minute time fell short. 

While he praised the fast route and the enthusiastic Durban crowd, he said the pace slowed once he broke away from the leading group, making it difficult to maintain the speed needed to achieve his target.

Cheptegei says he would gladly return to South Africa for another attempt and believes that with stronger support during the race, he can challenge his personal best of 26:38 and possibly produce the fastest 10km ever run on African soil.