CHIMP SPORT: Cheptegei to lead Uganda to World Road Running Championships

Olympic champion Joshua Cheptegei will headline Uganda’s 16-member team at the 2026 World Athletics Road Running Championships scheduled for September 19-20 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Cheptegei is part of the team comprising eight men and eight women who will compete in the one-mile, 5km and half marathon (21km) events, with the team targeting both individual honours and the overall team titles.

He will compete in the half marathon as he continues his transition from track and field to road racing, while the championships will offer Uganda’s emerging athletes an opportunity to test themselves against some of the world’s best runners.

The event is also expected to provide a platform for the next generation of Ugandan distance runners to gain valuable international experience as they seek to follow in the footsteps of Cheptegei and fellow Olympic medallist Jacob Kiplimo.

“We believe this team is strong and ready to compete against the world’s best in Denmark,” said UA publicity officer Namayo Mawerere.

UA president Domenic Otucet has also wished the team success and called upon Ugandans to support the athletes as they seek to maintain the country’s strong tradition on the international athletics stage.

The women’s half marathon team comprises Esther Chebet, Esther Chekwemoi Yeko, Annet Chemengich Chelangat and Rebecca Chelangat.

Cheptegei, Mande Bushendich, Martin Kiprotich and Feb Chelogoi will represent Uganda in the men’s half marathon.

In the 5km, Charity Cherop and Martha Chemusto will compete for the women, while Alex Kiplangat and Kenneth Kiprop will represent the men.

Felister Chekwemoi and Patience Cherop will compete in the women’s one-mile race, with Silas Chemutai and Hosea Kiprop making up the men’s team.

Apollo Musherure will lead the delegation, which also includes coaches Grace Chesang and Alex Malinga.

Beyond individual medals, Uganda will also be chasing team honours, with the scoring format varying across the three distances.
In the half marathon, teams are made up of three athletes from the same country. The three fastest finishers from each nation determine the men’s and women’s team standings.

For the one-mile and 5km races, the team competition is mixed, with two men and two women forming a team. The two fastest men and two fastest women from each country will count towards the team standings.