Joshua Cheptegei broke the men's 5000m World record with a stunning 12:35.36 at the Herculis Monaco Diamond Leagu on Friday (14).
Cheptegi, who was following right behind the pacers Roy Hoorwe (NED) and Matthew Ramsden (AUS), split 2:31.87 for the first kilometer. The following kilometer they covered almost identically 2:31.90. After the 2500m, Cheptegei took the lead and again clocked 2.31 (7:35.14 for 3000m). He maintained the pace exactly the same posting 2:31 at 4000m. Finally, Cheptegei sealed the race with 2:30.32 final kilometer and to break the legendary record which has stood since 2004.
"I think Monaco is a special place and it's one of these places where I could break the world record." said Cheptegei. "It took a lot of mind setting to keep being motivated this year because so many people are staying at home but you have to stay motivated." "I pushed myself, I had the right staff with me, the right coach. I'm also usually based in Europe, but being based in Uganda with my family was actually great. I will for sure celebrate the world record when I get home."
Men's 5000m results monaco | See full Moanco DL meet results here
1 | CHEPTEGEI Joshua | UGA | 12:35.36 WR |
2 | KIMELI Nicholas Kipkorir | KEN | 12:51.78 PB |
3 | KROP Jacob | KEN | 13:11.32 SB |
4 | FOPPEN Mike | NED | 13:13.06 =NR PB |
5 | OUMAIZ Ouassim | ESP | 13:13.14 PB |
6 | McSWEYN Stewart | AUS | 13:13.22 SB |
7 | GRESSIER Jimmy | FRA | 13:15.77 PB |
8 | SVELA Per | MAR | 13:23.97 PB |
9 | HASSAN Suldan | SWE | 13:31.62 SB |
10 | WANDERS Julien | SUI | 13:49.85 SB |
CRIPPA Yemaneberhan | ITA | DNF | |
HOORNWEG Roy | NED | DNF pace | |
INGEBRIGTSEN Henrik | NOR | DNF | |
RAMSDEN Matthew | AUS | DNF pace |