The Kenyan proved too strong for his opponents as he put up a good fight to cross the line in a course record of 1:24:22.
The Kenyan duo of Joyce Njeru and Philemon Kiriago took top honours to bank valuable points at the Fletta Trail category in the Valsir Mountain Running World Cup on Sunday.
The women’s race started off with Austria’s Andrea Mayr striking out for the front from the start Britain’s Scout Adkin and Njeru followed closely.
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Njeru never fully lost touch with Mayr on the uphill, while Adkin, Romania’s Monica Florea, Finland’s Susanna Saapunki, and the Kenyan duo of Philaries Kisang and Lucy Murigi were relatively close together chasing the leaders.
By the highest point on the course, Mayr had built up a significant lead over Njeru but the Kenyan had a plan and she ran a tactical race that saw her become the first to reach the streets of Malonno.
She won in 1:39:05, 40 seconds ahead of Mayr. Kisang completed the podium in 1:41:13 with Florea fourth and Adkin fifth.
The men’s field was stacked with former winners, a world champion, and many other strong contenders. From the start, Kiriago looked comfortable and determined to go for the gong. He struck out in the lead and was being chased hard by Germany’s Filimon Abraham, Sylvain Cachard of France.
The Kenyan proved too strong for his opponents as he put up a good fight to cross the line in a course record of 1:24:22.
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Kipng’eno took an early lead, and it soon became apparent that, for the rest of the field, it was going to be a race for second place.
Abraham held on to take second place in 1:27:14 as Italy’s Cesare Maestri finished third in 1:28:49. Cachard was fourth and Filosi finished fifth.