Landmark is level 2 of 4 in the Uganda Hall of Fame: a first that opened a door, or the pre-eminent figure of their generation in this country. See how the levels work.
Why they are here
The first Ugandan to win the Olympic 5,000 metres, and the man who took both of Kenenisa Bekele's world records — marks that had stood for fifteen years and were thought settled.
Joshua Cheptegei comes from Kapchorwa on the slopes of Mount Elgon. The race that made him known was one he lost badly: leading the world cross country championships in front of a home crowd in Kampala in 2017, he came apart in the last kilometre and staggered to the line in thirtieth, on television, in front of everyone.
He went back and rebuilt. He won the world cross country title in 2019 and the world 10,000 metres in the same year. In August 2020 in Monaco he ran 12:35.36 for 5,000 metres, and in October in Valencia 26:11.00 for 10,000 metres — taking both world records from Kenenisa Bekele, who had held them since 2004 and 2005 and whom most people assumed would keep them.
He won the Olympic 5,000 metres in Tokyo with a silver over 10,000, and took the 10,000 metres title in Paris in 2024, along with three more world championships on the track. He also held the world record for five kilometres on the road.
He went back and rebuilt. He won the world cross country title in 2019 and the world 10,000 metres in the same year. In August 2020 in Monaco he ran 12:35.36 for 5,000 metres, and in October in Valencia 26:11.00 for 10,000 metres — taking both world records from Kenenisa Bekele, who had held them since 2004 and 2005 and whom most people assumed would keep them.
He won the Olympic 5,000 metres in Tokyo with a silver over 10,000, and took the 10,000 metres title in Paris in 2024, along with three more world championships on the track. He also held the world record for five kilometres on the road.
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