Philemon Kiriago wins in Smarna Gora (© WMRA Marco Gulberti)
The Smarna Gora, the final race in the 2025 World Mountain Running World Cup, provided a fitting and thrilling end to this year’s series. Philemon Ombogo Kiriago smashed the course record in the men’s race with his victory giving him enough points to take the overall World Cup win, while fellow Kenyans Gloria Chebet and Valentine Jepkoech Rutto finished 1-2 in the women’s race to secure their places on the podium in the overall season standings.
Starting in Rocen and then ascending 705m and descending 350m over the course of 10k, this is a course with some fast terrain but also with some deceptively technical parts.
Josphat Kiprotich initially took command in the men’s race, with Kiriago and Richard Omaya Atuya – winner of the Velika Planina race on Saturday – right on his heels. They opened a gap of 30 seconds to Machoka, who was desperate to secure the points he needed to take the men’s World Cup. 10 seconds further back Michael Selelo Saoli and Mwangi Ephantus Njeri were also in the mix, with Lorenzo Cagnati also keeping pace.
Kiprotich kept the lead but never succeeded in shaking Kiriago, who looked ominously comfortable despite the relentless pace. Atuya also looked focused and was holding off Machoka, though never really extending the gap and now Saoli was starting to challenge. And the splits indicated that the course record could go.
Kiriago finally made his move, overtaking teammate Kiprotich, and attempting to put some daylight between them. He could not be caught and he took the win, knocking 43 seconds off the course record, lowering it to 40:47. Kiprotich held on to take second in 40:55 and Atuya took third in 41:07, all three under the previous course record.
Kiriago’s win meant that he secured the men’s World Cup title, with Machoka having to settle for the runner-up position.
While the 2025 women’s World Cup winner was already decided prior to this weekend, there was no let-up in the racing.
After a DNF in Saturday’s race, normal service resumed for Valentine Rutto at Smarna Gora. She and fellow Kenyan Glora Chebet led during the early stages along with USA’s Courtney Coppinger and, a few seconds back, Andrea Mayr. Elle Twentyman, another breakout star of this year’s World Cup, and Nelie Clement were 30 seconds back and not letting them get away.
Chebet still led after 6km, but Rutto and Coppinger were close by, about 20 seconds behind the leader while opening a gap on Mayr. But Chebet could not be caught in the closing stages and she went on to increase her lead to more than a minute, crossing the line in 49:55. Rutto held off Coppinger to finish second in 51:02 with Coppinger seven seconds behind while Mayr placed fourth.
Rutto moved up to second place in the World Cup standings, while Chebet’s win moved her up to third overall. Britain’s Scout Adkin had already done enough earlier in the season to guarantee the World Cup series victory.
Kirsty Reade (WMRA) for World Athletics
Leading results
Women
1 Gloria Chebet (KEN) 49:55
2 Valentine Rutto (KEN) 51:02
3 Courtney Coppinger (USA) 51:09
4 Andrea Mayr (AUT) 51:49
5 Elle Twentyman (GBR) 52:00
Men
1 Philemon Ombogo Kiriago (KEN) 40:47
2 Josphat Kiprotich (KEN) 40:55
3 Richard Omaya Atuya (KEN) 41:07
4 Paul Machoka (KEN) 41:59
5 Michael Selelo Saoli (KEN) 42:12