Uganda’s long distance runner Joshua Cheptegei on Sunday failed to break his own record set last year but managed to emerge victor of the 2021 Monaco Run in 13:11.

“It was still a good race but the win was incredibly difficult to break,” Joshua Cheptegei said after the 5km race.

Cheptegei who returned to the scene of his 12:51 world record from last year further said he expects this year to be greater for him as he prepares for Tokyo and Olympics.

“I knew that I had to run the best way I always run. I did not want anything to distract me. I just ran to defend the title,” he said when asked why he removed the gloves mid the race.

“I expect to become great this year or even more,” he added.

Kenya’s Bethwell Birgen finished in the second position with 13:15 and was followed by his colleague Davis Kiplangant who finished in 13:16.

Last year Cheptegei took 27 seconds off the official global 5km record mark after 1km splits of 2:31, 2:35, 2:36, 2:35 and 2:34.