World Record-holders Cheptegei and Jepchirchir Set to Compete in 2024 Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon

Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei, the current world record holder for both the 5000 meters and 10,000 meters, along with Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir, the London Marathon Champion and former Half Marathon world record holder, will compete in the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon. The race, a World Athletics Gold Label event, will take place on Sunday, October 20th, the race promoters Procam International announced on Thursday.

Joshua is the reigning Olympic champion in the 10,000 meters and won the gold with a new Olympic record of 26:43.14. He is also a three-time World champion in the 10,000 meters and claimed gold in both the 5000 meters and 10,000 meters at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and the 2019 IAAF World Cross Country Championships.

Notably, Cheptegei is only the tenth man in history to simultaneously hold the 5000 meter and 10,000 meter world records, both of which he set in 2020, and holds the world's best time over a 15-kilometer distance.

Interestingly, Cheptegei made his international debut in India at the TCS World 10K Bengaluru 2014, finishing second. His return to India for the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon promises to be a highlight of this year’s race and will be his first Half Marathon here.

Speaking about his return to India Joshua said, “This country holds a special place in my heart, as it’s where I made my international debut in 2014. It’s been a good season for me, and I am certainly looking at a course-record timing at the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon. The energy and passion of the Indian running community are truly inspiring, and I’m excited to be part of this prestigious event.”

The USD 260,000 prize money course takes place at the historic Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, which runs through the heart of Delhi. It also passes many other sights of the city, including the India Gate and the Kartavya Path. The International Elite winners in the men’s and women’s categories will take home USD 27,000 each and the prize money includes the top 10 finishers in both. In addition to this, there is an Event Record Bonus of USD 12,000.

Heading the women’s field at the VDHM will be Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir

Peres Jepchirchir, a former Half-Marathon world record holder, has won the World Half-Marathon Championship three times. She is also the current London Marathon 2024 winner with 2:16:16 secs, breaking the women’s only Marathon world record. Peres also won the TCS World 10K Bengaluru in the 2016 edition.

Both Jepchirchir and Joshua Cheptegei aim to break the half-marathon world records at the upcoming event. Jepchirchir once held the half-marathon record with a time of 65:06 in 2017 and is eager to reclaim it in Delhi. Joshua’s best time for the half-marathon is 59:21, set in 2020. 

Vivek Singh, Jt. MD, Procam International, said: "The Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon has truly put India on the global map of running and having participation from running royalty like Joshua Cheptegei and Peres Jepchirchir is a testament to the global stature of the event. On Sunday, 20th October Delhi will shine as we come together for a better tomorrow.”

Notably, since 2020, the Ethiopian runners Amdework Walelegn (58:53) and Yalemzerf Yehualaw (64:46) have held the event records in Delhi.