Patrick Kipng'eno in action in a past World Mountain Running World Cup race/HANDOUTKenya’s Patrick Kipng’eno and Ruth Gitonga on Sunday triumphed at the Jinshanling Great Wall Trail Race in China – the last regular event of the Golden Trail World Series (GTWS)
In the women’s category, Gitonga, who finished fourth in last weekend’s Myoko Trail in Japan, crossed the finishing line in 2:39:47 after the gruelling race held on one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.
Germany’s Hanna Grober, who won last weekend’s Myoko Train in Japan, finished second in 2:42:13, while Kenya’s Caroline Kimutai took third.
Kimutai crossed the finish line in 2:43:33 on the 23km course, which featured 1,600m of vertical gain.
Another Kenyan, Valentine Rutto, returning from injury, settled for the 8th position after crossing the finish line in 2:55:11.
The victory put Gitonga in a prime position to win the women’s GTWS category overall title.
In the men’s category, Kipng’eno won back-to-back races in the GTWS after winning last weekend’s Myoko Trail in Japan.
He beat compatriot and overall ranking leader Philemon Ombogo Kiriago to second position.
Kipng’eno finished in 2:12:30 while Kiriago, the reigning World Mountain and Trail Running up and down champion, clocked 2:14:24.
Speaking from China, Kiriago said: “My target was a top-two finish, which I have achieved here. I’m waiting for the official tallying of the points gained in various stages to see how the final ranking is.”
Switzerland’s Joey Hadon completed the podium finish after crossing the finish line in 2:15:42. Michael Saoli was fourth (2:17:22), Timothy Kibet finished fifth in 2:18:03, and Nashon Kiplimo came home seventh in 2:21:05.
Kenya’s other athlete in the top 10 was Samuel Kiprotich, who clocked 2:23:18 as Kenyans continued with their dominance in the mountain running series.
Kipng’eno and Saoli improved on their overall ranking ahead of the grand finale.
The athletes have now shifted their focus to the GTWS final race, the Muju Trail Grand Finale, to be held in South Korea on October 24 and 25.
