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Olympic champion Joshua Cheptegei will miss out on competing in Sunday’s Antrim Coast Half Marathon because of illness, race organisers have confirmed.<\/b><\/p>\n
The 28-year-old was scheduled to headline this year’s event, the Ugandan having won gold in the 10,000m at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, setting a new Olympic record in the process.<\/p>\n
Cheptegei holds the world record at 5,000m and 10,000m, is the reigning three-time world champion in the 10,000m and also won gold in the 5,000m at the 2020 Olympics.<\/p>\n
The renowned half marathon will still feature a quality field, including seven-time world champion Geoffrey Kamworor and fellow Kenyan Lilian Kasait.<\/p>\n
“Joshua is deeply saddened to be missing the race but he is unable to participate due to an illness picked up over the weekend,” explained race organiser James McIlroy.<\/p>\n
“To have Olympians, world champions and world record holders choosing to race on the Antrim Coast is an extraordinary endorsement of both the event and Northern Ireland. <\/p>\n
“We are proud that the Antrim Coast Half Marathon continues to attract the very best athletes in the world to one of the most scenic and fastest courses on the planet.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n