Michael Selelo Saoli at the São Brás Cross (© WMRA - Jonathan Wyatt)
Joyce Muthoni Njeru, Michael Selelo Saoli, Maude Mathys and Andrew Douglas are among the athletes in action as the WMRA Mountain Running World Cup heads to Beijing Changping this weekend for two races set beneath the Great Wall and across the mountain trails of the Yanshan range.
Following the season opener in Portugal, China hosts the second and third races of the campaign.
The weekend begins on Saturday (25) with the uphill race – a sharp and explosive 3.5km course at Juyongguan Great Wall, featuring more than 500 metres of ascent. It is a pure climbing contest where power, timing and commitment will be decisive. The race will be contested as a time trial format, with each athlete starting individually at 10-second intervals, adding an extra tactical layer to the battle against both the clock and the climb.
On Sunday (26), attention turns to the classic up & down race – an 18km challenge with 1284 metres of ascent and descent, starting and finishing at Haizi Bridge and passing through the remarkable surroundings of the Silver Mountain Pagoda Forest. With technical trails and fast-running sections, it will test all of the mountain running skills of the athletes who will need to adapt to the ever-changing terrain.
The men’s races are headed by Kenya’s Selelo Saoli, who opened his World Cup campaign with victory at the São Brás Cross in Portugal. Close behind him in the opening round was Great Britain’s Andrew Douglas, whose runner-up finish there confirmed his strong early-season form.
They are joined by other leading contenders such as Paul Machoka, one of the highest-ranked athletes on the start list, and Zhang Sheng, who leads Chinese hopes on home soil. The entry list also stars Isacco Costa, Alexandre Ricard and Tyler McCandless.
The women’s competition features outstanding depth, led by Kenya’s Muthoni Njeru, one of the sport’s most accomplished international athletes and a consistent performer.
Also lining up are Mathys, Camilla Magliano, Alice Gaggi, Courtney Coppinger and Sara Wilhoit. Between them, they bring proven climbing strength, technical ability, racing intelligence and the composure required for major international competition.
A strong group of Chinese and Asian contenders will also be eager to make their mark, inspired by local support and the opportunity to challenge for leading positions on one of the biggest stages of the season.
Héctor Rubio (WMRA) for World Athletics
Watch the races for free on World Athletics+ (geo-restrictions may apply)
