Joyce Muthoni Njeru on her way to victory at the Montemuro Vertical Run (© corsainmontagna.it / Marco Gulberti)
The Valsir Mountain Running World Cup gears up for another double header weekend in Canfranc-Estación, a small mountain town in north-eastern Spain.
Several of the top-ranked athletes in the World Cup standings will be racing across the weekend, providing an opportunity for a shake-up as the series nears its conclusion.
The vertical uphill race takes place on Friday evening (8). The 4km route takes the runners from 1455m at the Seta River all the way up to the summit of Tuca Blanca at 2313m. The path, which is very steep in places, kicks up right at the end for the final push.
Kenya’s Joyce Muthoni, who leads the women’s World Cup standings, could add some important points to her tally here, possibly putting the competition out of reach. She won both races here last year and will be out to defend those titles. This season she has won Fletta Trail and La Montee du Nid d’Aigle.
She will face strong competition from fellow Kenyan Lucy Murigi, who has consistently placed in the top 10 in her outings this year. Italy’s Camilla Magliano is also always a strong performer in big races and she finished fourth in the vertical race and second in the classic race here last year.
Other women to watch include France’s Olivia Magnone, who was runner-up in the long mountain race here last year, and Spain’s Maitane Melero.
Spain’s Daniel Osanz is the men’s defending champion for the vertical race. His compatriot Raul Criado, who was third in the long race here last year and sixth in the vertical race, could well improve on that if his strong showing at Broken Arrow is any indication.
Britain’s Joe Steward, currently fourth in the men’s World Cup standings, is having a strong season with podium finishes at Vertical Nasego and Piz Tri Vertical. Canada’s Remi Leroux has also had success at Montemuro this World Cup and could also do well here.
Other men to watch include France’s Vincent Loustau and Spain’s Ricardo Cherta.
The 16km classic mountain race on Sunday (10) is held on more rugged terrain and takes in 1600m of ascent along the way. The highlight for the runners is summiting La Moleta (2572m) which has stunning views across the mountain range. The route is essentially one brutal climb of 1400m over the course of just 5.8km, then a long descent back down to the finish.
Many of the athletes from the vertical uphill race will double up at the longer distance on Sunday, trying to make the most of the rest day in between.
Muthoni will attempt to replicate her double triumph from last year, with Murigi and Magliano once again providing stiff opposition. They’ll all be pushed by Belgium’s Charlotte Cotton – who finished in the top 10 in both races here last year – as well as Spanish duo Anna Guirado and Bel Calero.
Criado will be among the favourites in the men’s race but there’s a deep field of talent. Like Criado, Czechia’s Ondrej Fejfar had a successful trip to Broken Arrow, with two top-10 placings. Morocco’s Adil Moussaoui could also place well, as could Loustau. The Spanish contingent includes Cherta, Marcos Villamuera, Eduard Hernandez, Toni Banos, Alberto Lasobras and Jose Luis Pujadas.
Kirsty Reade (WMRA) for World Athletics