Scout Adkin wins the 2023 Montemuro Vertical Run (© WMRA / Marco Gulberti)
The Montemuro Vertical Run in Castro Daire, Portugal, welcomes some of the world’s top mountain runners on Sunday (14) as it hosts the fourth race of this year's Valsir Mountain Running World Cup.
Now in its fourth edition and third inclusion in the World Cup, this race has rapidly gained a reputation as a classic in the making.
In the women’s field, the defending champion Scout Adkin returns following a fourth-place finish last weekend in the rain-soaked and foggy Grossglockner Mountain Run. Her quest for a consecutive victory will be fiercely challenged by Philaries Jeruto Kisang and Gloria Chebet, who finished second and third respectively last weekend.
Joyce Muthoni Njeru is also set to compete in Castro Daire. Fresh from her triumphs at both the Vertical Kilometre and Skyrace at Broken Arrow, she will be aiming to secure more points in the overall World Cup following her fifth-place finish last weekend, currently leading the women's standings after three races.
Susanna Saapunki arrives in Portugal brimming with energy, eager to improve upon her sixth-place finish last weekend in Austria. In 2023, she claimed third at La Montee du Nid d’Aigle and secured victories at Smarna Gora and Primiero Dolomiti Trail. Alongside her, Camila Magliano, who finished fourth here last year and achieved a sixth place at Montee du Nid d’Aigle as well as a fourth and third at Canfranc-Canfranc, will undoubtedly be battling for a top position.
Other notable contenders include Charlotte Cotton, Florencia Milanesi and Maria Benito.
In the men’s race, one of the break-out stars of the European Championships, Lukas Ehrle, heads to Montemuro for a second World Cup race after finishing third in the European uphill race, second in the up & down, and fifth in the Grossglockner Mountain Run. He also ran 10,000m in 29:09.48 in April.
Remi Leroux comes into this race with two top 10 finishes at Broken Arrow two weeks ago and a 14th place at the start of his European tour. He was also one of the break-out stars of last year’s World Cup competition with his second place here at Montemuro Vertical Run, a second at Canfranc Canfranc Vertical and a fourth at the classic race at Canfranc.
Cesare Maestri, a well-known runner in the Valsir Mountain Running World Cup with great results like a third place at last’s year Fletta Trail, this year ran the Lille half marathon in 1:03:28.
Ephantus Mwangi Njeri, who finished 11th last weekend, will also be a strong contender together with the French athlete Alric Petit, who finished fourth here last year.
When racing the Montemuro Vertical Run, athletes will face a demanding 10.2km ascent to the summit of Fragas do Inferno (1317m) in the Serra do Montemuro, with a total elevation gain of 1090m.
The competitive route starts at Parada de Ester (Castro Daire) and finishes at Fragas do Inferno, in an almost constant climb from the vicinity of the Paiva river to the summit of the Serra do Montemuro.
A mountain route of rare beauty where, as you gain altitude, the participant will have the opportunity to view at the Estrela, Gralheira and Caramulo massifs and, once the goal is reached, at the Douro valley and reliefs to the north of this great river.
Hector Rubio (WMRA) for World Athletics
