Joshua Cheptegei's third marathon is Sunday in Amsterdam. Can he finally run a good one? Predictions?

rojo · 2025-10-17T23:30:24-04:00

A year ago, if we told you that Joshua Cheptegei - the world record holder in the 5000 and 10,000 and two-time Olympic champion on the track would only have a 2:05:59 marathon pb - would only have a 2:05:59 marathon pb (London 2025) after running 2:08:59 in his debut (2024 Valencia) we doubt you'd believe us.But that's the reality. The first two have gone so poorly, he's running Amsterdam this weekend where he'll take on a field that includes Gabriel Geay (2:03:00 pb) and defending champ Tsegaye Getachew (2:04:49 pb).Do you think he will turn around his marathon career this weekend? Predicitons?[b]Leading entries [/b] [b] Men[/b] Gabriel Geay (TAN) 2:03:00 Getaneh Molla (ETH) 2:03:34 Andualem Shiferaw (ETH) 2:04:44 Tsegaye Getachew (ETH) 2:04:49 Bute Gemechu (ETH) 2:04:51 Bazezew Asmare (ETH) 2:04:57 Geoffrey Toroitich (KEN) 2:05:46 Joshua Cheptegei (UGA) 2:05:59 Muktar Edris (ETH) 2:05:59 Kenya Sonota (JPN) 2:05:59 Enock Kinyamal (KEN) 2:06:28 Lameck Too (KEN) 2:06:29 Merhawi Kesete (ERI) 2:06:36 Masresha Bere (ETH) 2:06:44 Afewerk Mesfin (ETH) 2:07:08 Boki Diriba (ETH) 2:07:13 Khalid Choukoud (NED) 2:07:37 Godadaw Belachew (ISR) 2:07:45 Mesfin Niguse (ETH) 2:07:58 Phil Sesemann (GBR) 2:08:04 Haftom Welday (GER) 2:08:24 Shadrack Kimining (KEN) 2:08:29 Benson Tunyo (KEN) 2:08:36 Takashi Ichida (JPN) 2:08:57 Aron Kifle (ERI) 2:09:39 Tadesse Getahon (ISR) debut Daniel Tola (ETH) debut [b] Women[/b] Lonah Salpeter (ISR) 2:17:45 Tiruye Mesfin (ETH) 2:18:35 Bosena Mulate (ETH) 2:19:00 Zeineba Yimer (ETH) 2:19:07 Yebrugual Melese (ETH) 2:19:36 Desi Jisa (BRN) 2:20:07 Waganesh Mekasha (ETH) 2:20:44 Bertukan Welde (ETH) 2:20:55 Gadise Mulu (ETH) 2:20:59 Zinah Senbeta (ETH) 2:21:05 Aynalem Desta (ETH) 2:22:11 Vivian Melly (KEN) 2:22:25 Rose Chelimo (BRN) 2:23:12 Mekides Shimeles (ETH) debuthttps://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-label-road-races/news/amsterdam-marathon-2025-getachew-cheptegei

Pro News/Info/Results Marathons

Reply New New Thread

Moderation Moderation Information Moderation Information & Rules

Page 5 of 5

1 4 5

Next Last

7 months ago 10/20/2025 1:57pm EDT

re: Mocazilla

Mocazilla wrote:
I suspect he is faster at 1500 than his PR shows and just never did one at peak

I agree. He had a vicious kick in the 5/10. I think those are his sweet spot.

That said, I think we're writing him off too soon. He's in the mix. Reminder that in his debut, he went out in 60:35 (!!!) and died. Nothing to be ashamed of there. The 2:05 in Tokyo was a bit disappointing, but still elite, and he again went through halfway scorching fast (1:01:15).

I'm not sure he's much worse than Bekele's first three marathons (2:05 win in Paris, 2:05:51 for 4th in Chicago, DNF in Dubai). Bekele's fourth marathon was a 2:06:36 in London. Then he seemed to get his legs under him and ran 2:03:03 for the 2nd fastest time ever in Berlin the next year.

7 months ago 10/20/2025 3:24pm EDT

re: rojo

Maybe like Mo Farah (2:05 best) better on track distances.

7 months ago 10/20/2025 8:08pm EDT

re: coachkritter

Remember also Tedesa and to some extent Kamworor.Some super 5/10k and Half marathon elites cannot translate the same level of success to the full marathon. Ebenyo has tried too but has been completely unable.

7 months ago 10/22/2025 9:06am EDT

re: coachkritter

coachkritter wrote:
Maybe like Mo Farah (2:05 best) better on track distances.

I think Farah’s issue, more than anything else, was moving away from Salazar and just getting older. Chep is still young enough to succeed.

7 months ago 10/22/2025 5:30pm EDT

re: birdbeard

birdbeard wrote:
coachkritter wrote:
Maybe like Mo Farah (2:05 best) better on track distances.
I think Farah’s issue, more than anything else, was moving away from Salazar and just getting older. Chep is still young enough to succeed.

Good point. And of course Mo Farah did pretty well in the marathon, considering he was never a time trialer. His 10000m best is 35 seconds slower than JC’s, even if he is by far the more decorated runner.

Page 5 of 5

1 4 5

Next Last

What People Are Talking About On LetsRun

No top threads at the moment. Check back soon.

Reply Replying to

Username

Password

Leave the password field blank to post anonymously.

Post Preview

By posting you acknowledge that you have read and abide by our Terms and Conditions.

Remember me on this device.

Joshua Cheptegei's third marathon is Sunday in Amsterdam. Can he finally run a good one? Predictions?

This thread has already been deleted.

You have been subscribed.

Joshua Cheptegei's third marathon is Sunday in Amsterdam. Can he finally run a good one? Predictions?

Jump To A Page

Follow birdbeard

Block birdbeard

Follow coachkritter

Block coachkritter

Follow birdbeard

Block birdbeard

Jump To A Page

This thread has already been deleted.

Reply Replying to

You have been subscribed.