MADRID, 30 Dic. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Ugandan athlete Joshua Cheptegei recognized that the Nationale-Nederlanden San Silvestre Vallecana, which takes place this Saturday, is “special because of its exciting atmosphere”, which is why it is “very spectacular” to run this test, at the same time that he insisted that his The objective, “more than the result”, is “to recover sensations, after his injury this year.
“For me, it’s special because I remember when I couldn’t race in 2018 due to injury, so it’s important to be here again. Also, because of the exciting atmosphere of the fans in the streets, people enjoy this Christmas night. It’s very spectacular to run with the lights and the people enjoying themselves around”, Cheptegei commented in an interview with Europa Press after the presentation ceremony this Friday of the most outstanding athletes of the International event.
Cheptegei, world record holder of 5,000 and 10,000 meters in the open air and the main favorite to win the Vallecana, explained that San Silvestre Vallecana is a test “to enjoy and be happy”. “I’m grateful because I’m coming back from an injury, so it’s just time to come back and find that feeling, more than the result,” she confessed about his goals.
The athlete admitted that he “wanted” to run in the traditional Madrid race on the last day of the year, after he decided to come in 2018, but an injury changed his plans. This forced the Ugandan to “take a break”, although he stressed that for the 2022 edition “everything is under control”.
His two world titles in 2019 and 2022 over 10,000 meters could put extra pressure on him, but Cheptegei stressed that he “doesn’t” feel “that pressure from being one of the favorites to win the race.”
A test that I may also take part in 2023. “You don’t know what will happen. You can be here next year, or maybe not. But it’s good to put in a good performance at San Silvestre Vallecana, show my level and maybe come back next year comes,” he said.
Finally, Cheptegei admitted that “racing in Spain is always an incredible feeling.” “My best moments in athletics have been in Spain,” he added, before refusing to talk about his compatriot Jacob Kiplimo’s record (26:41) in the test. “My focus is on recovering this feeling and running again, that’s the most important thing, and finishing healthy. Although anything is possible, I’ll adapt to the pace of the race and we’ll see what happens,” he said in statements during the presentation of the athletes. test international.
