Cheptegei: "I thank Kenenisa for inspiring me"
On crossing the 5000m finish line with a time of 12:35.36 on the clock at the Louis II Stadium in Monaco on Friday night, Joshua Cheptegei smashed a world record which had stood for 16 years, two months, and 14 days.
The Ugandan was aged just seven when Ethiopia's Kenenisa Bekele stormed to his historic 12:37.35 in Hengelo. Until Friday night, no athlete since had come within five seconds of the mark, with Selemon Barega going closest with his 12:43.02 in Brussels in 2018.
Ahead of the meeting in Monaco, which was the first more traditional style Diamond League event of this pandemic-affected summer, Cheptegei was open about his goal.
"I believe if there is a time to attack the world record, it is this year," he told the NN Running Team, of which both he and Bekele are a part.
"It is now or never."
Cheptegei followed pacemakers Roy Hoornweg through 1000m in 2:31.87 and Matthew Ramsden through 2000m in 5:03.77 and maintained the pace, guided by wavelight technology.
But how does his run compare with Bekele's from 16 years before?
| Kenenisa Bekele km splits (Hengelo, 2004) | Joshua Cheptegei km splits (Monaco, 2020) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1km | 2:33.24 (pacemaker) | 2:31.87 (pacemaker) |
| 2km | 5:05.47 (pacemaker) (2:32.23) | 5:03.77 (pacemaker) (2:31.90) |
| 3km | 7:37.34 (2:31.87) | 7:35.14 (2:31.37) |
| 4km | 10:07.93 (2:30.59) | 10:05.46 (2:30.32) |
| 5km | 12:37.35 (2:29.42) | 12:35.36 (2:29.90) |
Cheptegei's lap splits were 60.70, 61.70, 60.64, 60.41, 61.25, 60.91, 60.03, 60.10, 60.18, 60.33, 59.97 and 59.64 (splits start 200m into the race, with the first five for the pacemakers).
It's the equivalent pace of 4:02 per mile for three miles, plus another quick 200m at the end.
Video via Herculis EBS Meeting
Cheptegei gave his thanks to Bekele for inspiring him, while Bekele - who ran his 26:17.53 world 10,000m record the year after his 5000m mark - offered his congratulations to his younger team-mate.
"I've learned that anything is possible, if you have the right mindset and believe," said Cheptegei. "I really thank Kenenisa so much for inspiring me when I started running.
"He has always been a big inspiration and motivation to me.
"This record is a special moment for me and I like to thank Kenenisa for his inspiration."
In an Instagram post, Bekele wrote: "I have great memories of running my world record in Hengelo 16 years ago. It is very difficult to run any world record. Congratulations to my teammate Joshua Cheptegei for running a new world record for 5000m tonight in Monaco."
To which Cheptegei replied: "You are forever my all time role model and idol. Your career inspires me the most. I am forever grateful to emulate and follow your footsteps."
Which begs the question: What might Cheptegei, who won the world 10,000m title in Doha in 26:48.36 last year, now be able to do over the longer distance?
» Click here to read our report on Cheptegei's record run in Monaco
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