Philemon Kiriago in action at the Trofeo Nasego (© Marco Gulberti)
The Valsir Mountain Running World Cup is back with a bang with two days of Gold Label racing this weekend as Casto in north Italy hosts the Vertical Nasego and Trofeo Nasego.
On Saturday (31) runners will take on Vertical Nasego, which packs in 1000m of ascent over 4.3km, then on Sunday (1) it’s the Trofeo Nasego, which is 21.5km with 1330m of ascent.
With seven races down and five to go, the Mountain Running World Cup has already passed the half-way stage. The top four athletes in both the men’s and women’s standings will be racing in Casto – led by current leaders Scout Adkin and Philemon Ombogo Kiriago – as will defending champions Andrea Mayr and Patrick Kipngeno.
Adkin will be among the favourites for the Vertical Nasego. The Briton excels in uphill-only races and is coming off a runner-up finish in Sierre-Zinal. Kenya’s Philaries Jeruto Kisang has been close to Adkin at several of the World Cup races this year, and has a strong track record on short uphill courses.
Joyce Muthoni Njeru began this season by doing the double at Broken Arrow, while Gloria Chebet has been on three World Cup podiums this year and Susanna Saapunki finishes consistently high in World Cup fields.
Most of the leading women entered for the Vertical Nasego will also take part in the Trofeo Nasego, apart from Mayr who is focusing on just the shorter event this weekend.
Like fellow World Cup leader Adkin, Philemon Ombogo Kiriago heads to Casto off the back of a runner-up finish in Sierre-Zinal. Fellow Kenyans Josphat Kiprotich and Michael Selelo Saoli are also having strong seasons, with Kiprotich winning Piz Tri Vertical and coming fourth at Sierre-Zinal and Saoli winning Giir di Mont.
Henri Aymonod, a former winner of this race, will also be on the start line. Paul Machoka, European Championships uphill race winner Joe Steward and Roberto Delorenzi are also among the leading contenders.
Most of these will double up with the Trofeo Nasego, where they’ll be joined on the start line by former winner Cesare Maestri and past podium finisher Xavier Chevrier.
Kirsty Reade (WMRA) for World Athletics