Maud Mathys and Patrick Kipngeno have won the Kobe Trail in Japan, the first race of the Golden Trail World Series 2024 (GTWS). Both victories came as a surprise.
Mathys (Swiss, Asics) had no idea where she was standing, after her tendon operation in June last year. Before the race she said she would be happy with a top 5 finish. She got it, but with the top step on the podium the winner of the GTWS in 2020 and 2021 exceeded her expectations: “My strategy was to set off quite cautiously so I wouldn’t blow up too early, then gradually increase the pace in the uphill while trying not to lose too much in the downhill. I think I’m a terrible downhiller, but I can’t be as bad as all that because no one caught up with me. Then I saw Joyce in the third loop and I quickly caught up with her and then opened up a gap. I tried to stay focused right up to the finish line and I’m thrilled with this victory.”
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Second place for Sara Alonso
Behind Mathys Sara Alonso (Spain, Asics) finished second. Theres Leboeuf (Swiss, Compressport) came in third. Alonso: “I am so happy. I knew I was in good shape but honestly, when I saw the list of runners, I thought I’d be happy to finish in the top 5. Then Sophia Laukli pulled out, and Grayson Murphy didn’t come, and then I started dreaming of a podium finish. But to finish second here on the first stage is just impossible to describe.”
For Leboeuf her third place felt special as well: “My brother’s wife is Japanese and her mother came all the way from Tokyo to see me, so I had my own fans here. I know this type of race suits me, with its series of downhills and climbs, so I could really make the most of it. I really am thrilled with this third podium spot, in front of her.”
First victory Kipngeno
Kipngeno’s win in the Kobe Trail is also the first victory of the Kenyan Run2gether athlete in the Golden Trail World Series. Before the race the trail looked too technical for him, but he took maximum advantage of a fall from Elhousine Elazzaoui (Morocco, Nnormal). “It wasn’t until kilometre sixteen that I realised that victory was possible. The downhills were very tough, and they were running very fast in the front. But I stuck to my strategy, and it worked.”
Despite his fall Elazzaoui finished as third: “I was doing well on the first two loops, everything was under control, but in the third loop I slipped and fell hard on my back. I really hurt myself and straight away realised that something wasn’t right because my legs weren’t responding at all. I stopped and then started off again. I hung in there for the podium.”
Second place for Hadorn
Joey Hadorn (Swiss, Salomon) finished second, after leading the Kobe Trail for a long time: “My strategy was to stay calm and take stock after the downhill on the second loop. I think I was fifth or sixth at that point, then suddenly I was leading the climb. I wondered if the others had had a problem, but I refocused and stayed calm. I really didn’t expect to finish second today and I’m really pleased and thrilled I did.”
Photos: Justin Galant and Colin Olivero
