Joshua Cheptegei broke the long-standing world 5,000m record at the Wanda Diamond League meeting in Monaco, clocking a stunning 12:35.36. The Ugandan, who is also the world 10,000m champion, took two seconds off Kenenisa Bekele's mark of 12:37.35, set 16 years ago in Hengelo. This was Cheptegei's first race since setting a world 5km record on the roads on February 16, also in Monaco. Paced through the early stages by Roy Hoornweg (2:31.87 at 1,000m) and Matthew Ramsden (5:03.77 at 2,000m), Cheptegei took up the running at halfway and continued the metronomic pace, churning out 61-second laps. Kenya's Nicholas Kimeli, who was just approaching the final straight as Cheptegei crossed the line, finished a distant second in a lifetime best of 12:51.78.

Source: dna August 16, 2020 01:34 UTC