The King Reigns Again: Cheptegei Rules Durban 10K Again as Ugandan Star Delivers Record-Chasing Masterclass
The double Olympic champion produced a commanding display to win the Absa Run Your City Durban 10K in 27:19, falling just three seconds shy of the South African all-comers' record of 27:16 that he set at the same race eight years ago.
Joshua Cheptegei promised to give Durban's road-running fans "something different". On Sunday morning, the Ugandan great delivered.
The double Olympic champion produced a commanding display to win the Absa Run Your City Durban 10K in 27:19, falling just three seconds shy of the South African all-comers' record of 27:16 that he set at the same race eight years ago.
Kenya's Salem Kibet finished second in 27:29, with Uganda's Emmanuel Kibet completing the podium in 27:32 after a high-quality contest on a cool morning under overcat skies, with the streets still slick following overnight rain.
Defending champion Kabelo Mulaudzi was the leading South African home in sixth place in 28:06 despite battling a hamstring problem from around the 7km mark.
Cheptegei had spoken before the race about the importance of the leading contenders working together if they were to threaten the elusive sub-27-minute barrier on African soil. For much of the opening stages, that plan appeared to be unfolding as Cheptegei, Salem Kibet and Felix Masai shared the pace through halfway, while Mulaudzi gradually slipped off the leading group.
