By URN
Two Ugandan athletes, Mathew Chepkwurui and Benard Cheptoch, have been confirmed as official pacemakers for Olympic and World Champion Joshua Cheptegei at the 2025 Amsterdam Marathon, slated for October 19 in the Netherlands. Cheptegei, making his second appearance in the full marathon this year, is finalizing his training preparations in Kapchorwa under the guidance of his coach, Benjamin Njia.
Njia, who also serves as the Vice President Technical at the Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF), confirmed that Cheptegei is scheduled to depart for the Netherlands on Thursday, while the pacemakers have already left earlier to settle ahead of the race. Speaking to Uganda Radio Network, Coach Njia said Cheptegei has been undergoing specialized training tailored for the marathon distance.
“Joshua has been following a customized training program designed to prepare him for optimal performance and the aim is for him to improve on his debut and possibly run a personal best,” Njia said. Cheptegei, who skipped the 2025 World Athletics Championships earlier this year, said the Amsterdam Marathon is a key event in his transition to the 42km distance.
“Amsterdam is one of the courses I have always wanted to run. It’s flat and fast, and I believe it gives me a good chance to register a personal best,” Cheptegei told URN in Kapchorwa. Benard Cheptoch, one of the two pacemakers, expressed excitement about the opportunity to support a world-renowned athlete.
“I am honored to pace for a world champion like Joshua. It’s a big responsibility, and I’m ready to do my part to help him achieve his target,” Cheptoch said before departure.
Mathew Chepkwurui, the second pacemaker, echoed similar sentiments, noting that helping Cheptegei reach his potential on race day is a moment of pride for the entire Ugandan athletics community. Cheptegei made his marathon debut in 2023 at the Valencia Marathon, where he finished in a respectable time but admitted he was still learning the dynamics of long-distance racing.
The Amsterdam Marathon presents an opportunity for him to make a statement as he shifts more focus to road races. The Amsterdam Marathon is one of the fastest courses in the world, with numerous personal best times having been set there in past editions. Cheptegei will be hoping to use this platform to solidify his presence in the marathon world as he prepares for future global competitions.
