The atypical 2020 season is set to feature another stunning chapter on Wednesday when Uganda’s recently-minted world 5000m record-holder Joshua Cheptegei takes aim at the world 10,000m mark at the Turia Stadium in Valencia, Spain.
Organisers of the event, dubbed the NN Valencia World Record Day, released details of Cheptegei’s assault on the 26:17.53 mark set by Kenenisa Bekele in Brussels 15 years ago, the longest standing men’s 10,000m world record in history.
Dutchman Roy Hoornweg will be the first pacemaker, gunning to cover the opening 1500m in 3:55 before Australia’s Ryan Gregson takes command.
The consistent miler’s duties include bringing the leaders through 3000m in 7:52 before handing the virtual pacing baton to Kenyan Nicholas Kimeli who is targeting 13:05 at 5000m.
The talented 22-year-old is in strong form, clocking career bests of 12:51.78 for 5000m and 26:58.01 for 10,000m on August 2 in Monaco and September 19 in the Dutch city of Leiden, respectively. More recently, he won the 5000m at the Kip Keino Classic World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meeting in Nairobi on Saturday.
Although Kimeli will try to reach the 6000-metre point, Cheptegei will likely race against the clock for much of the second half but will also have a wavelight as a reference over the waning kilometres.
How fast can Gidey run?
A women’s 5000m is also on the programme with Letesenbet Gidey given the spotlight during her quest for a fast performance.
The 22-year-old Ethiopian enjoyed a fantastic 2019 campaign, racing to 10,000 silver at the World Championships in Doha six months after bagging bronze at the World Cross Country Championships in Aarhus, Denmark. Gidey has also requested a brisk pace.
Spain’s in-form Esther Guerrero will act as the opening pacesetter, shooting to cover the opening 1500m in 4:15. The 30-year-old lowered her PBs both in the 800m (1:59:22) and 1500m (4:03.13).
The second rabbit will be of the highest calibre in the guise of Kenya’s 3000m steeplechase world champion and record holder Beatrice Chepkoech who ran a 3000m lifetime best of 8:22.92 in Doha on September 25. But the Kenyan ace will have to perform at her best with the playbook handing her an 8:30-8:35 target for 3000m.
Gidey is targeting her lifetime best of 14:23.14 set in Rabat two years ago. Gidey’s only appearance this campaign came on August 14 where she finished runner-up in the Monaco 5000m in 14:26.57, the second fastest performance of her career.
Fans from around the world can watch the races on YouTube.
Weather forecasters predict pleasant conditions with temperatures of 25 C at the start of the event.
