Patrick Kipngeno has won the second race of the Golden Trail World Series (GTWS); the Four Sisters Mountain Trail in China. Making it two out of two for the unstoppable Kenyan. The victory in the women’s race went to Kipngeno’s compatriot Joyce Njeru, claiming her first victory on the GTWS.
Njero (Atletica Saluzzo) had her eye on the first place from the start: “I was getting a bit worked up at the start, because I knew I was capable of winning here. But I quickly calmed myself down and got into my pace. Today, it wasn’t about battling with the others, it was about battling with myself to do the perfect race. I knew I was strong in both the climbs and downhills, and I proved it today.”
Second place for Mathys
Behind Njero Maude Mathys (Switzerland, Asics), who won last week’s race in Japan, finished second: “It was a tough race today. I tried to set off slowly and control my heart rate because I didn’t want to suffer with the altitude. Grayson passed me at the top before the first big downhill, but bizarrely I managed to catch up with her just before I got to the bottom and that gave me a confidence boost for the rest of the race, and so I carried on accelerating even though it was mega tough from the race’s halfway point.”
Third place was for the American Grayson Murphy (Saucony), who made her debut on the Golden Trail World Series: “I was having so much fun, and then suddenly I started getting cramps just near the end of the downhill. I tried getting some nutrition in, but the cramps persisted. I’ve never had this problem before, so I need to find out what happened. But I’m really pleased with this first race on the Golden Trail Series and will come on other stages for sure.”
No competition for Kipngeno
Kipngeno took advantage of the trail that looked muddy in the days before the start, but dried up in the last hours. He took the lead from the start and never looked back: “I’m injury-free and this changes everything for me. I feel like I can compete at my best. Last year, I really suffered at the end of the season, that’s why I took a complete break for two months so I could come back stronger. Now, I can’t wait for Sierre-Zinal. I know that Rémi Bonnet will be there and I’m really looking forward to our head-to-head.”
Bonnet, last year winner of the Golden Trail World Series, is the great absentee. The Swiss trail runner took a break after his successful ski mountaineering season, but is already in training for his trail run season.
Elazzaoui wants revanche
Elhousine Elazzaoui (Morocco, Nnormal) finished last week third at the Kobe Trail in Japan. At the Four Sisters Mountain Trail he finished one step higher on the podium, but one lower than he hoped for: “I’m a bit disappointed because I really wanted to win this race, but it was really tough, especially up to the 6 kilometre mark because of the altitude. But I fought hard and the season isn’t over yet, there are more races to come.”
Daniel Pattis (Italy, Brooks) had his eye on second, but had to do with third place: “I didn’t really know what to expect on this race, especially with the altitude; I felt good all week, but I know that doesn’t mean anything. I was both excited and nervous at the start line because I wanted to do really well after my fifth place in Japan. In the end, the race went really well for me, and I’m thrilled with this podium spot.”
Photos Colin Olivero
