Mayr and Kipngeno prove unbeatable at Vertical Nasego

Andrea Mayr and Patrick Kipngeno retained their Vertical Nasego titles, while there were exciting battles behind them for second and third as the Valsir Mountain Running World Cup continued in Casto, Italy, on Saturday (2).

After some epic duels between Mayr, Philaries Kisang and Scout Adkin for the women, and Kipngeno and Philemon Kiriago for the men in this year’s prominent vertical uphill races, anticipation was already high. But throw in some perennial Italian champions like Valentina Belotti, Camilla Magliano, Henri Aymonod and Andrea Rostan, as well as younger athletes having a breakthrough year like Anna Gibson and Joe Steward, and we had the prospect of some really thrilling racing on our hands.

On a double header weekend, the runners first took on the 4.3km Vertical Nasego course with 1000m of ascent. Starting in Casto, the runners began climbing on roads and good trails before the mountain path became ever steeper and more technical as it wound its way to the finish line. Conditions were warm, but a few clouds in the sky made it near perfect for the runners.  

It was no surprise to see Austria's Mayr taking the women’s race out right from the start. Not only is she clearly in form this year, with wins at the World Championships, Piz Tri Vertical and Challenge Stellina, she is also a legend in this race. She won in 2019, setting the course record of 38:39, and in 2021 and 2022. She is also the only woman to have run under 40 minutes here.

As we’ve seen so many times this year, it was Kisang who led the chasing pack behind Mayr. But it never looked like she would catch Mayr and she definitely wasn’t assured of second as Adkin was right on her heels the whole time. The battle for second and third was going to be the really exciting race here, as Mayr stretched out her lead. With 200m of the climb to go Susanna Saapunki sat a little way behind Adkin, with Gibson chasing Saapunki hard. In the mix at this point we also had Joyce Muthoni, Sara Willhoit and three-time winner here, Belotti. With 100m of ascent to go Mayr remained firmly in charge, but Kisang and Adkin were still neck and neck.

As expected, Mayr took the win and improved her course record to 38:06. Kisang eventually won the battle for second, finishing in 40:27 and just managing to hold off Adkin, who took third in 40:35.

Just as we expected to see Mayr in control from the start, we’ve also become accustomed to Kenya's Kipngeno doing the same in the men’s races this year. He took it out from the gun and, just like in the women’s race, the fight became for second and third, although it did seem at times that Kipngeno may be reeled in.

Patrick Kipngeno celebrates his Vertical Nasego win (© Marco Gulberti)

With 200m of the climb to go Kipngeno did have a significant gap and it was Steward, fresh from winning Challenge Stellina last weekend, who lay in second, with Kiriago in third, but neck and neck with Christian Allen.

With 100m of climb to go, Kipngeno remained in the lead but it was all change behind him. Allen had passed both Kiriago and Steward to move into second, but Steward remained right on his shoulder. Luciano Rota and Rostan had also passed Kiriago and the battle for the top five was on.

Kipngeno just couldn’t be caught and he won in 34:25. In the end his buffer was reduced to 37 seconds and it was Allen who took second place (35:01), with Steward just seven seconds behind him in 35:08.

The weekend’s action continues on Sunday with the Trofeo Nasego from 9:30am local time.

Kirsty Reade (WMRA) for World Athletics

Leading results

Women
1 Andrea Mayr (AUT) 38:06 CR
2 Philaries Kisang (KEN) 40:27
3 Scout Adkin (GBR) 40:35
4 Susanna Saapunki (FIN) 41:23
5 Anna Gibson (USA) 42:15 

Men
1 Patrick Kipngeno (KEN) 34:25
2 Christian Allen (USA) 35:01
3 Joe Steward (GBR) 35:08
4 Luciano Rota (ITA) 35:37
5 Philemon Kiriago (KEN) 35:48