Philemon Kiriago celebrates after winning Broken Arrow Skyrace in the US/ FILE
Philemon Kiriago underlined Kenya’s dominance in mountain running by winning the Sierre-Zinal race for a record third time over the weekend, leading a clean sweep of the podium at the latest World Mountain Running Association (WMRA) World Cup stage in Switzerland.
Kiriago, the reigning World Mountain and Trail Running champion, timed 2:26:24 to edge compatriot Patrick Kipngeno by 32 seconds in a thrilling 31km contest, while Michael Selelo Saoli completed the Kenyan sweep in 2:29:36.
The victory saw Kiriago reclaim the prestigious title he previously won in 2023 and 2025, further cementing his status as one of the world’s leading mountain runners.
Kiriago and Kipngeno fought a gripping battle through the closing stages, repeatedly exchanging the lead as the course began its steep descent.
Kiriago eventually managed to establish a decisive gap and held his advantage to the finish in Zinal. “I am happy to win this race for the third time. Sierre-Zinal is like my second home now,” Kiriago said by phone.
The Kenyan, who was also the Meru University and Barng’etuny Mountain Run champion, said he has already set his sights on an even faster performance next year.
“I am targeting the course record next year. The race attracted top mountain runners from across the world. I want to thank my coach Geoffrey Gikuni for the work he has done,” he added.
The demanding course rises from 560 metres in Sierre to 2,424 metres over the opening 24km before dropping sharply for the final seven kilometres to Zinal, making the descent crucial to the outcome.
Kenya had a strong showing beyond the podium, with Kevin Kibet finishing fifth in 2:30:58, Paul Machoka seventh in 2:31:58 and Richard Atuya eighth in 2:32:04.
In the women’s race, however, defending champion Caroline Jepkoech Kimutai had to settle for second after Romania’s Madalina Florea produced a strong finish to claim victory in 2:55:44.
Florea made her decisive move on the descent and held off Kimutai, who finished in 2:56:30. Britain’s Morven Goodrum marked her debut with an impressive third-place finish in 2:57:12.
Kenya’s Ruth Gitonga was seventh in 3:00:11, as Mirriam Chepkirui finished ninth in 3:02:12.
