Cheptegei to lead Team Uganda in Denmark

What the report says

Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei is set to lead the national contingent at the 2026 World Athletics Road Running Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark, according to The Observer. The long-distance runner is due to compete in the men’s half marathon on September 20, a race described as part of his build-up toward the marathon. The article says Cheptegei has been training in Kapchorwa with coach Addy Ruiter as he prepares for the 21.0975km event.

The championships will take place on September 19 and 20 and will award world titles in the one-mile, 5km and half-marathon races. The half marathon is expected to be a major event on a fast course through Copenhagen. The report notes that Cheptegei’s appearance comes during a broader shift from track and cross-country competition toward longer road races.

The Observer also reported that Uganda Athletics has not yet announced its final team for the championships. Selection trials were held in Tororo on August 15, with athletes competing for places in the three event distances. The federation said the squad will be named after technical discussions are completed.

The article says Uganda will be looking to Cheptegei’s experience to help inspire the rest of the team. World Athletics expects the championships and related mass-participation races to attract about 65,000 runners, making the event one of the larger road-running gatherings of the year.