Philemon Kiriago celebrates after winning a past race/World Mountain Running Associations/HANDOUT
Patrick Kipng’eno won the 24.7 km race 2:07:12, Kiriago timed 2:08:37 for second while Michael Saoli was third in 2:09.06.
Myoko Trail was the first Golden Trail World Series event in Japan, featuring a demanding 24.7km course with 2,020m of elevation gain through one of the country’s most iconic mountain regions and a territory deeply rooted in mountain sports culture.
With two races to go, Kiriago, of Run2Gether on Trail, leads the standings with 860 points, followed by defending champion Elhousine Elazzaoui of Morocco (824), Kipng’eno (772) and Saoli (754).
Other Kenyans in the top 10 rankings are Ezekiel Rutto at fifth (598 points), Timothy Kibet (eighth — 494) and Nashon Kiplimo (ninth— 481).
Only two Kenyans, Ruth Gitonga (second with 698 points) and Caroline Kimutai (sixth with 614 points) are in the top-10 of the women's standings. Maldina Florea tops the rankings with 872 points. .
The caravan moves to the Jinshanling Great Wall Trail Race in Hebei Province, China, on September 27 with the GTWS series set to conclude with the Muju Trail Grand Finale in Jeonbuk State in South Korea on October 24.
However, the athletes will feature in the two-day Mountain Running World Cup on October 2-3, competing in the vertical uphill and long trail races during the Canmore Trail Culture / Canmore Mountain Running Festival.
“I leave everything to God. I, however, want to defend my World Cup title and, if possible win the GTWS. It will be a good season for me,” said Kiriago, the World Mountain and Trail Running gold medalist.
