Philemon Kiriago poses for a photo with Patrick Kipng'eno (L) and Michael Saoli (R) after yesterday's race/HANDOUTKenya’s Philemon Ombogo Kiriago strengthened his grip on the World Mountain Running Association (WMRA) Mountain Running World Cup after winning the Trofeo Nasego in Italy on Sunday.
The reigning World Mountain and Trail Running champion dominated the 21km race, clocking 1:30:08 to lead a Kenyan clean sweep of the podium. Compatriot Patrick Kipng’eno finished second in 1:31:10, while Michael Salelo Saoli completed the podium in 1:32:13.
Elijah Kariuki was fourth in 1:33:11, with Paul Machoka fifth in 1:34:33 as Kenya continued its dominance in the long-distance mountain running event.
“I’m happy to be in Nasego again. I dreamt about breaking the course record, and I’m happy I achieved it. From the beginning, I controlled the leading pack throughout, which was my plan,” said Kiriago.
Kipng’eno claimed his second podium finish of the weekend after winning Saturday’s 4.3km Vertical Nasego race. He beat Richard Atuya, while Kiriago finished sixth.
Ruth Mwihaki Gitonga gave Kenya another victory in the women’s 21km race, winning in 1:47:07 ahead of Germany’s two-time World Mountain and Trail Running champion Nina Engelhard, who clocked 1:47:33.
Mirriam Chepkirui was third in 1:50:14 to complete another Kenyan podium finish. Gitonga had finished fifth in Saturday’s Vertical Nasego race, won by Engelhard, who was making her return from injury.
The Mountain Running World Cup now moves to Poland for the penultimate round, the Maraton Trzech Jezior, on September 19. The new long-distance race, staged among the lakes and rolling landscapes of western Poland, will host the long-distance World Cup final.
The season will conclude at the Défi des Couleurs in Canada, where an uphill race and the classic up-and-down final will give the athletes the last chance to fight for podium places and valuable World Cup points.
