Anna Gibson competes during the Broken Arrow (© WMRA - Marco Gulberti)
Kenya’s current World Cup leaders Michael Saoli and Joyce Muthoni Njeru will be among the athletes in action when the WMRA Mountain Running World Cup resumes in the United States for rounds six and seven of the series at Broken Arrow Skyrace in Palisades Tahoe, California.
Competition gets under way on Friday (19) with the Ascent, the next uphill contest on this year’s circuit, before athletes return to the trails on Sunday (21) for the 23km, the next long-distance challenge of the World Cup season.
With valuable points on offer and demanding mountain terrain awaiting the athletes, the battles at the front of both races are expected to play a significant role in shaping the World Cup standings as the season enters its second half.
The Ascent starts on the valley floor and climbs 914 metres over 4.8 kilometres to the summit of Washeshu Peak at 2708 metres. It takes in some brutally steep terrain, leading to the iconic Headwall Ridge and the ‘stairway to heaven’ bolted ladder to the summit of Washeshu Peak. Runners will experience steep rock slabs, snow and scree.
The 23km Skyrace features nearly 1400 meters of elevation gain across alpine ridges, snowfields and technical descents. It starts in Palisades Tahoe Village and most of the race takes place above the tree line on technical and demanding trails. Runners will be treated to views of Granite Chief Wilderness and they will experience Emigrant Pass, KT-22 and the ‘stairway to heaven’.
Saoli and Muthoni Njeru both face some tough opposition in Palisades Tahoe.
Last year’s Skyrace winner Elhousine Elazzaoui returns fresh from his recent triumph at Zegama. Christian Allen and Anna Gibson, who claimed victory in the Ascent, are also back to defend their crowns.
Almost every athlete who stood on the podium in last year’s Ascent and Skyrace will be back on the start line, with only Joe Gray absent from the lineup.
Gibson and Muthoni Njeru, who won the Skyrace last year and was second in the Ascent, will be joined this time by Madalina Florea and Jade Belzberg, while the men’s field features Elazzaoui, Allen, Philemon Kiriago, Patrick Kipngeno and Cameron Smith, setting the stage for a series of high-profile rematches in the mountains.
The elite fields are packed with athletes targeting podium finishes across both races. Making his Broken Arrow debut, Paul Machoka is set to take on the double. Italy boasts a strong hand through Luca Merli, while the United States will field a number of athletes capable of featuring at the sharp end of the competition including Tyler McCandless, Caleb Olson and Liam Meirow.
The women’s races look equally enticing. Last year’s World Cup runner-up, Valentine Jepkoech Rutto, will also contest both events, joined by exciting French talents Nelie Clement and Marie Nivet. Sara Willhoit arrives in strong form following an impressive World Cup campaign, while Nienke Brinkman’s comeback continues in the 23km race. As in the men’s competition, the home nation is well represented, with Tabor Hemming, Courtney Coppinger and Lauren Gregory leading a strong US contingent with podium ambitions.
The Ascent starts at 8:00am local time on Friday 19 June and the 23km Skyrace at 8:00am for the women and 8:20am for the men on Sunday 21 June.
Kirsty Reade (WMRA) for World Athletics
