Cheptegei is one of distance running’s leading lights, having also won three 10,000m world titles and a world cross country title on top of his Olympic gold.
In what will be just his second race in the United Kingdom, he will headline the new race at Belfast’s Titanic Quarter in June, which will carry World Athletics Elite Label status.
However, Cheptegei admitted he was unsure if he would be targeting Berihu Aregawi’s 5km road world record of 12 minutes 49 seconds. The Ethiopian athlete took two seconds off Cheptegei’s previous record (12:51) to set that mark in 2021.
“I don’t know what time [I will run],” added Cheptegei, who made his marathon debut in Valencia in December.
“It might be under 13 [minutes] I don’t know, but I’m just really looking forward to giving my best and making sure my body is ready for the Olympic Games.”
As well as triumphing in the 5,000m in Tokyo, Cheptegei earned silver in the 10,000m with Ethiopia’s Selemon Barega winning silver. Like he did in Tokyo, Cheptegei plans to run both events in Paris.
“I’m still in love with the 10,000m and I will do a double,” he said. “The 10,000m is a very special distance for me.”
