Olympic champion Joshua Cheptegei will miss out on competing in Sunday’s Antrim Coast Half Marathon because of illness, race organisers have confirmed.
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.
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.
The renowned half marathon will still feature a quality field, including seven-time world champion Geoffrey Kamworor and fellow Kenyan Lilian Kasait.
“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.
“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.
“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.”
