Tokyo, Japan — Ugandan distance runners Joy Cheptoyek and Harbert Kibet delivered commanding performances at the Tokyo 10km Space Race and ASICS Speed Race on Saturday, May 3, 2025, with both athletes claiming gold medals and setting personal milestones.
Joy Cheptoyek, 23, continued her rise on the international stage by winning the women’s 10km race in a time of 30:22, finishing well ahead of Djibouti’s Samiyah Hassan Nour (30:40 – national record) and Australia’s Isobel Batt-Doyle (30:44 – Oceanian record).
The race, held on a fast, flat loop course near Japan’s National Stadium, showcased world-class road running ahead of the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo later this year.
Cheptoyek’s victory cements her position among the elite women in long-distance running and adds to Uganda’s growing reputation as a powerhouse in the sport. Backing her strong finish were teammates Rebecca Chelangat, who placed fourth, and Annet Chelangat, who finished seventh, contributing to a stellar day for Team Uganda.
Harbert Kibet wins 5km race
In the men’s 5km race, 19-year-old Harbert Kibet stunned the field with a breakout win, clocking a personal best of 13:00. Kibet held a commanding lead into the final loop and maintained his pace to finish 10 seconds ahead of Djibouti’s Mohamed Ismail (13:10 – national record).
Kenya’s Samwel Nyamai Mailu followed closely in third at 13:11, while South Africa’s Maxime Chaumeton set a national record with 13:13 in fourth place.
Kibet’s performance marks a significant milestone for the young athlete and a promising signal for Uganda’s men’s middle-distance ambitions.
The Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF) lauded both Cheptoyek and Kibet for their “world-class efforts and inspiring performances,” noting that their results reflect the dedication and discipline being nurtured within Uganda’s elite distance running programme.
With the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 on the horizon, Cheptoyek and Kibet have positioned themselves as names to watch, bringing pride to Uganda and hope for even greater achievements in the months ahead.