Kenya’s Joyce Muthoni Njeru and Patrick Kipng’eno are among the leading athletes at the Valsir Mountain Running World Cup field that is set to take place on Saturday and Sunday.

The October 12-13 action will take place in the Lombardy region of Italy in Chiavenna, a town steeped in mountain running history. On Saturday, athletes will contest the final World Cup short uphill race with the 25th edition of Lagunc KM Verticale, and the following day the last long race, Val Bregaglia Trail, will take place as per World Athletics.

Both races are point-to-point. The vertical race starts in Chiavenna and climbs to Lagunc, while the Val Bregaglia Trail starts just over the border in Switzerland and finishes in Chiavenna.

With 100 points on offer for an athlete winning both races, it is a crucial weekend for the World Cup. The current rankings show it’s possible that any one of six men could emerge as World Cup champion, as could any one of three women.

Meanwhile, Muthoni, the World Cup leader, spearheads the competition, following her double win at Broken Arrow as well as Trofeo Nasego and Smarna Gora just last weekend.

She has a good buffer between her and Britian’s Scout Adkin with 288 points to Adkin’s 244, but the latter has also had a consistent season with wins at Montemuro Vertical Run and La Montee du Nid d’Aigle plus a second place at Sierre Zinal.

Similarly, the third-placed runner in the women’s World Cup, Kenya’s Philaries Jeruto Kisang, has also had an extremely strong season, with podiums in four out of six races, and just two points separate her and Adkin. Kisang won both races here last year, which could be important.

Men’s race

In the men’s category, Kipng’eno leads with 235 points and will equally face tough opposition.

Among Kipng’eno’s rivals are compatriot Philemon Ombogo Kiriago, who is just eight points behind him after an incredibly consistent season, including that unforgettable duel with Kilian Jornet at Sierre Zinal. Just 11 points behind Kiriago is Josphat Kiprotich, who achieved second places at Grossglockner, La Montee du Nid d’Aigle, and Vertical Nasego. All three athletes are entered into both races.

There’s also another trio of Kenyan athletes in contention for the World Cup. Michael Selelo Saoli won Giir di Mont and has had a string of strong results. Richard Omaya Atuya has won all but one of the World Cup races he has entered this year.

He is on 151 points, so a long way behind Kipng’eno, but two wins this weekend aren’t out of the question based on his season. Just behind him is Paul Machoka, who could also be a contender. Again, all three runners are entered in both races.