Joshua Cheptegei Reflects After Career-Best Run at the Amsterdam Marathon

Ugandan distance running icon Joshua Cheptegei delivered a career-best performance at the 2025 TCS Amsterdam Marathon on Sunday, finishing fifth with a remarkable time of 2:04:52.

In just his third attempt at the marathon distance, the two-time Olympic champion and world record holder in the 5,000m and 10,000m demonstrated significant progress, shaving over a minute from his previous best time.

The World Athletics Platinum Label race was won by Kenya’s Geoffrey Toroitich Kipchumba, who set a new course record of 2:03:30. He was followed by Ethiopian duo Tsegaye Getachew (2:04:18) and Getaneh Molla (2:04:19), with Tanzania’s Gabriel Geay securing fourth place in 2:04:36.

Joshua Cheptegei expressed his delight at achieving a new milestone in the marathon, highlighting his personal best of 2:04:50.

He extended his gratitude to his team, supporters who sent messages, and the thousands of spectators along the streets, noting their presence made a significant impact. Joshua Cheptegei added that he looks forward to competing in the marathon again soon.

“I’m happy to have reached a new level in the marathon and to have run a personal best of 2:04:50! What a beautiful event,” Joshua Cheptegei said in a post on his Instagram page.

“Huge thanks to my team, to everyone who sent messages and to the thousands of people lining the streets of Amsterdam. It made all the difference. Marathon, see you again soon!”

Joshua Cheptegei remained with the lead group through the early stages of the race. The pack passed the 10km mark in 29:16 and reached the halfway point in 1:02:14.

However, as the pace intensified after 30km, Joshua Cheptegei began to lose contact with the frontrunners, who surged ahead toward the finish line inside the historic Olympic Stadium.

Despite missing out on a podium finish, Joshua Cheptegei's performance was widely celebrated. "Personal best by over a minute! Joshua Cheptegei runs a powerful 2:04:50 and takes another step forward at the Amsterdam Marathon," his NN Running Team posted on X (formerly Twitter).

The Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF) also praised his effort, referring to him as "commander" and commending his consistency.

"Congratulations, Joshua Cheptegei, for finishing 5th at the TCS Amsterdam Marathon. New personal best of 2:04:52, well done, commander," the federation stated.

Joshua Cheptegei's strong showing in Amsterdam confirms his successful transition from track dominance to the marathon, a journey keenly watched by the athletics world.

After the race, he was seen sharing a moment with Ethiopian running legend Haile Gebrselassie, a symbolic meeting of two generations of distance greats.

With this new personal best, the 28-year-old solidifies his position among the world's elite marathoners and signals his intent to continue his pursuit of records on the road.

In the women's race, Ethiopia's Aynalem Desta took the title with a time of 2:17:37, the third-fastest ever recorded in Amsterdam.

Her compatriots Bertukan Welde (2:17:56) and Mekides Shimeles (2:19:56) completed an all-Ethiopian podium.