Kenya’s Joyce Muthoni Njeru will be back in France to defend her title as athletes head for this year’s Valsir Mountain Running World Cup on Saturday, July 20, 2024.
Elite participants from Kenya, the USA, Canada, New Zealand, and the UK are set to take part in the historical race that dates back to 1986.
For the past two years, Njeru has won here, and in 2022, she chopped almost six minutes off Isabelle Guillot’s race record, which had stood since 2006, reducing it to 2:00:31.
This year, the Kenyan star has finished fifth at Grossglockner, fifth again at Montemuro Vertical Run last weekend, and won both the short uphill and classic races at Broken Arrow in the season opener.
Her counterpart, Philaries Jeruto Kisang, has also started the season well, with a second place at Grossglockner and a third at Montemuro. Scout Adkin started her World Cup campaign with a fourth-place finish at Grossglockner and then successfully defended her title at Montemuro last weekend in a dominant display, according to World Athletics.
She also finished second at the recent European Championship uphill race. Gloria Chebet was also on the podium at Grossglockner, finishing third, and then bettered that with a second place at Montemuro.
Men’s race
Meanwhile, Xavier Chevrier will be back to try to regain his title and race record in the men’s race. Kenya’s flag in this category will be flown by Philemon Ombogo Kiriago, who will be looking to add to his World Cup points after his third place at the Broken Arrow Skyrace and seventh place in the VK.
Paul Machoka, who has a 29:32 10km personal best, emerged on the mountain running circuit with a fourth place at Grossglockner two weeks ago.
Sylvain Cachard or Theodore Klein will no doubt be popular with the French spectators. Cachard had a strong 2023 season with fourth places at Sierre Zinal and Fletta Trail, as well as a third place at Challenge Stellina, while Klein comes from a third place at the recent European offroad championships.
Jacob Adkin was 10th here last year and could well improve on that, judging by his performance at the recent EA European Championship uphill race, where he finished second.
Alberto Vender, who has an impressive string of top-ten finishes at high-profile mountain races to his name; Timotej Becan, who finished eighth at Grossglockner; Ondrej Fejfar; Cade Michael, who made his World Cup debut at Grossglockner; New Zealand steeplechaser Michael Sutton; and Marcelo Goncalves.
For these and more credible stories, join our revamped Telegram and WhatsApp channels.
Telegram: https://t.me/peopledailydigital
WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va698juDOQIToHyu1p2z
