Andrea Mayr at the Vertical Nasego (© WMRA / Marco Gumberti)
The eighth round – a double header – of the Valsir Mountain Running World Cup kicked off in style on Saturday (31) in the north Italian town of Casto as Patrick Kipngeno and Andrea Mayr successfully defended their titles at the Vertical Nasego.
Runners took on 1000m of ascent over 4.3km in blazing heat, beginning with a gradual climb from Casto towards Briale village before a steeper and more technical climb up past Rifugio Nasego (at 1270m) to the finish line at 1430m.
The women’s race got off to a swift start as Kenya’s Philaries Jeruto Kisang led the field through the streets of Casto. As the climbing began, she maintained her lead but was chased by Mayr, Susanna Saapunki and Scout Adkin.
Mayr kept Kisang in her sights and with 350 metres of climbing remaining, she made her move and hit the front. Kisang tried to hold on to Mayr, but she wasn’t able to catch the Austrian as she took her fifth win in 40:51, with Kisang in second in 41:34 and Saapunki third in 41:44.
Kipngeno made his intentions clear at the pre-race press conference, stating he was going for the race record and his third successive victory.
Fellow Kenyan Josphat Kiprotich set the initial pace with Kipngeno leading the chase, closely followed by compatriots Philemon Ombogo Kiriago and Paul Machoka.
As the field emerged on to a steeper part of open mountainside, Kipngeno decided it was time to strike, taking the lead from Kiprotich while USA’s Meikael Beaudoin-Rousseau worked his way up to third.
Kipngeno couldn’t be caught in the closing stages and he won in 34:28. Kiprotich took second place in 35:03 while Henri Aymonod came through for third place in 35:20.
Kirsty Reade (WMRA) for World Athletics
