🇳🇱 Amsterdam, Netherlands: Uganda’s double Olympic champion Joshua Cheptegei put up a spirited fight but finished fifth at the TCS Amsterdam Marathon on Sunday, October 19, 2025, as Kenya’s Geoffrey Toroitich Kipchumba stormed to victory in record time.
The marathon, part of the World Athletics Platinum Label series, saw Kipchumba set a new course record of 2:03:30, while Ethiopia’s Aynalem Desta claimed the women’s title in 2:17:37, the third-fastest ever in Amsterdam.
Cheptegei, Uganda’s celebrated long-distance star and world record holder, entered the race as one of the main contenders in a competitive elite field featuring Ethiopia’s defending champion Tsegaye Getachew and Tanzania’s Gabriel Geay.
The men’s pack crossed 10km in 29:16 and reached the halfway mark at 1:02:14, signaling an aggressive pace. By the 30km mark, seven runners remained in contention, including Cheptegei, who stayed in close contact with the leaders until around 33km, when fatigue began to show.
Getachew and Geay eventually fell behind as Kipchumba surged ahead for the win, but Cheptegei stayed composed to finish fifth in 2:04:52, his fastest marathon to date. His split times (62:14 for the first half and 62:38 for the second) demonstrated improved endurance and consistency, marking a significant step in his road-running evolution.
This was Cheptegei’s third career marathon, following his debut in Valencia 2023 (2:08:59) and a strong showing at the Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Championships (2:05:59, 9th place).
Having opted out of the 2025 track season to focus fully on the marathon, Cheptegei’s showing in Amsterdam reaffirms his growing prowess over the 42km distance, signaling that Uganda’s golden boy of the track is steadily transforming into a serious marathon contender.
The scenic Amsterdam course, famed for its flat profile through landmarks like Vondelpark and the Rijksmuseum, offered an ideal stage for the 28-year-old to continue testing his endurance and pacing strategy against the world’s best.
Race Rankings – Men’s Top 10
1️⃣ Geoffrey Toroitich Kipchumba (KEN) – 2:03:30
2️⃣ Tsegaye Getachew (ETH) – 2:04:18
3️⃣ Getaneh Molla (ETH) – 2:04:19
4️⃣ Gabriel Geay (TAN) – 2:04:36
5️⃣ Joshua Cheptegei (UGA) – 2:04:52
6️⃣ Bazezaw Asmare (ETH) – 2:05:17
7️⃣ Bute Gemechu (ETH) – 2:06:12
8️⃣ Aron Kifle (ERI) – 2:07:12
9️⃣ Tadesse Getahon (ISR) – 2:07:15
10️⃣ Phil Sesemann (GBR) – 2:07:18
Race Rankings – Women’s Top 10
1️⃣ Aynalem Desta (ETH) – 2:17:37
2️⃣ Bertukan Welde (ETH) – 2:17:56
3️⃣ Mekides Shimeles (ETH) – 2:19:56
4️⃣ Waganesh Mekasha (ETH) – 2:20:26
5️⃣ Gadise Mulu (ETH) – 2:21:04
6️⃣ Bosena Mulate (ETH) – 2:21:23
7️⃣ Rose Chelimo (BRN) – 2:22:55
8️⃣ Margaux Sieracki (FRA) – 2:25:50
9️⃣ Zinah Senbeta (ETH) – 2:27:32
10️⃣ Louise Small (GBR) – 2:27:51
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