The World Championships are teeing off in a day's time in Budapest, Hungary. Here are two big storylines to watch out for in the men's distance events. 

Jakob Ingebrigtsen goes for glory

Jakob Ingebrigtsen’s dominance on the track over the past few years makes it easy to forget that he’s still only 22 years old — and that he actually lost the 1,500-meter final last summer at the World Championships. 

He did, however, win the 5K and this summer he’s back for round two in both events. If he manages to pull off the double victory, he’d join the ranks of Paavo Nurmi (1924 Olympics), Hicham El Guerrouj (2004 Olympics) and Bernard Lagat (2007 World Championships) as double champions in those events. 

How's his form right now? 

In 2023, Ingebrigtsen is on fire. He set a European record -- and the fourth-fastest time in history -- for 1,500 meters (3:27.14), set the world record for two miles (7:54.10) and has won all four Diamond League races that he’s entered. 

While the tactical nature of a 1,500m men's final can open the door for an upset (i.e. last year’s Jake Weightman victory), Ingebrigtsen may be just too good this year. 

The 5K is potentially a different story. An incredible eight men have broken 12:50 this year, led by Ethiopia’s Berihu Aregawi (12:40.45, No. 5 all-time), Uganda’s 10K world champion Joshua Cheptegei (12:41.61), Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha (12:41.73) and Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo (12:41.73), who will not compete at Worlds due to a hamstring injury.

Ingebrigtsen, meanwhile, has not raced a 5K this year. 

But he looks to be in better form than when he set the European record of 12:48.45 two years ago. Another thing to consider is that while he will have three rounds of the 1,500m on his legs before the first round of the 5K, many of his top competitors will be coming back from the 10K final.

Joshua Cheptegei goes for the three-peat in the 10K

Before competing in what is sure to be an epic 5K, Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei will chase his third straight world title in the 10K -- and fourth straight global title if you include the Tokyo Olympics. 

The 26-year-old is the World record-holder for both the 5K (12:35.36) and 10K (26:11.00) distances and owns the second-fastest time in the world this year in the 5K at 12:41.

His top competition looked to be his own countryman, 22-year-old Jacob Kiplimo, who defeated Cheptegei to win the World XC Championships as well as the NYC Half. 

But the 2022 bronze medalist will not compete at these championships due to a hamstring injury. 

The top challenger, then, looks to be 5K world leader Berihu Aregawi, who defeated Cheptegei at the World Cross Country Championships for silver and at the Lausanne Diamond League. 

Reigning Olympic champion Selemon Barega, who was fifth last year in Eugene, will also surely be in the mix for Ethiopia. 

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