Strong fields set for Smarna Gora Race

Susanna Saapunki defends her title and takes on event record-holder Andrea Mayr and Valsir Mountain Running World Cup leader Joyce Muthoni Njeru at the Smarna Gora Race on the outskirts of the Slovenian capital of Ljubljana on Saturday (5).

Two strong fields have been announced for the event, with the men’s race featuring Josphat Kiprotich and Michael Selelo Saoli, who sit third and fourth respectively on the World Cup standings.

Unlike some other races in the World Cup, Smarna Gora doesn’t take runners into the high mountains. The highest summit, Grmada, stands at just 676m above sea level and less than 400m above the city below, but the area boasts some incredible running routes and stunning scenery. In 2020 the race was voted the greatest mountain race of all time in a World Mountain Running Association (WMRA) poll and it has been included as a World Cup race more than 20 times.

The race is 10km, with 710m of ascent and 350m of descent, and the course blends tough climbs, fast running and technical trails. The summit of Grmada is reached first, just after the 4km mark, before a 2km descent brings runners back down to begin the final climb, spiralling anti-clockwise around the mountain to finish outside the Gostilna Ledinek Inn at the summit.

The women’s race has an exceptionally strong field again this year and five of the current top six athletes in this year’s World Cup standings will be on the start line. With just three races to go, Muthoni Njeru sits at the top of the rankings with 238 points, Jeruto Kisang lies just behind on 207 and Scout Adkin is in third place on 202. So, a win here for Muthoni Njeru could consolidate her lead, or a victory for Jeruto Kisang or Adkin could bring them back into contention for the title.

Muthoni Njeru has been incredibly consistent this season, and her wins at both Broken Arrow races back in June, and Trofeo Nasego at the start of September, are what put her at the top of the women’s World Cup rankings. Jeruto Kisang may not have stood on the top step of any World Cup podiums yet this year, but she has stood on the other steps on many of them after some very close races and that includes second places at Grossglockner and Vertical Nasego. Adkin has also achieved some great victories this year at both Montemuro and La Montee du Nid d’Aigle and she also had that incredible run at Sierre Zinal to finish second.

Saapunki took the win here last year in an authoritative fashion, and with recent third places at Vertical Nasego and Trofeo Nasego she is clearly in form. And Mayr remains a force to be reckoned with on any start line. The seven-time world champion won Vertical Nasego and was second in Trofeo Nasego earlier this year.

Other women to watch include Alice Gaggi, who had a strong run at Giir di Mont; Nusa Mali, who was third here last year; and Charlotte Cotton, another consistent performer in the World Cup.

The men’s race also looks very competitive. As with the women’s race, several of the runners riding high in this year’s World Cup will be on the start line. Four of the six top points scorers will be in action and while that doesn’t include the leaders – Patrick Kipngeno and Philemon Ombogo Kiriago – the race will feature the current third placed athlete, Kiprotich, who is currently on 186 points, just 49 points behind Kipngeno. So, a win for Kiprotich could see him take the lead in the men’s World Cup, with just two races remaining. Selelo Saoli is currently in fourth place with 148 points, so a win for him, and a failure of Kiprotich to make the top 10 here, could see him tie with or overtake him into third.

Kiprotich has been consistent this season, with his performances including second places at Grossglockner, La Montee du Nid d’Aigle and Vertical Nasego. Selelo Saoli won Giir di Mont and also finished third at Grossglockner and La Montee du Nid d’Aigle. Paul Machoka has also had a strong season, including a third at Trofeo Nasego and promising runs at both Grossglockner and Sierre Zinal. Richard Omaya Atuya had two impressive victories at Grossglockner and La Montee du Nid d’Aigle and could well be the runner to watch here.

But there will be no shortage of runners challenging for the win. Slovenian Timotej Becan is always an athlete to keep an eye on here. He has won or finished on the podium consistently and was fourth here last year. He has achieved several top 10 finishes in mountain races this year, including Grossglockner, and knows this course as well as anybody. There are some strong Italian runners who could do well, including Michael Galassi, who was fifth here last year; Andrea Elia, who was third at Montemuro; Tiziano Moia, fourth at Vertical Nasego; Luca Merli and Luciano Rota. Alric Petit will also be one to watch.

The Smarna Gora Race starts at 10:10am local time on Saturday.

Kirsty Reade (WMRA) for World Athletics