'I Can't Wait' - Joshua Cheptegei Chases Breakthrough at 2026 London Marathon

For Joshua Cheptegei, the transition to the road has been a lesson in humility, and he will finally be looking to match his track dominance with a victory at the 2026 London Marathon.

Joshua Cheptegei, the world record holder for both the 5,000m and 10,000m, has endured a challenging run since his full marathon debut in 2023 in Valencia.

There is no doubt that his debut was a wake-up call, where he finished 37th after struggling with the distance's unique demands.

However, the Ugandan legend has shown his trademark resilience by methodically chipping away at his personal best with every subsequent outing.

In 2025, he finished ninth at the Tokyo Marathon with a time of 2:05:59, followed by a strong fifth-place finish at the Amsterdam Marathon in October, where he clocked a personal best of 2:04:52.

The 2026 edition of the London Marathon is shaping up to be one of the most competitive fields in history. For Joshua Cheptegei to find redemption, he must outpace a very strong field.

Sabastian Sawe, the defending champion, recently clocked a blistering 2:02:05, headlines the strong field. His compatriot, Jacob Kiplimo, will also be in the mix, joined by Tamirat Tola, the reigning Olympic marathon champion.

Sawe has already predicted that winning this year will likely require breaking the course record of 2:01:25. For Cheptegei, this means the margin for error has never been thinner.

"London it is! I’m excited to return to the city where I won my first world medal in 2017 but this time to take on the marathon I’ve heard so much about. I can’t wait to experience it for real and feel the energy of the thousands of people in the streets. See you in April, @londonmarathon!" Sabastian Sawe.

London’s flat, fast course and high-energy atmosphere offer the ideal stage for Joshua Cheptegei’s breakout. His recent victory at the Tata Steel World 25K in Kolkata this past December suggests his speed is returning at the right time.

Unlike the track, where he could rely on a devastating final lap, the marathon requires a slow-burn kick that begins long before the final turn onto The Mall.

If Joshua Cheptegei can successfully marry his raw track speed with the endurance he has cultivated over the last two years, he will just be chasing a podium; he will be cementing his status as one of the greatest all-around runners the world has ever seen.