The 2024 Valsir Mountain Running World Cup kicked off with a thrilling start on Friday, in Palisades Tahoe, California.
Kenyan athletes Patrick Kipngeno and Joyce Muthoni Njeru stole the spotlight by dominating the season-opening Broken Arrow VK, the first gold label short uphill race of a double-header weekend.
The demanding Broken Arrow VK course begins with a steep incline on a ski slope, transitioning to a more runnable road section leading to the KT-22 summit.
The runners then face challenging technical terrain, including the infamous ‘stairway to heaven’ ladder, before a final snowy push to the finish.
In the men’s race, the field was stacked with top-tier competitors. Ultra-runner Jim Walmsley took an early lead, reaching the first timing point ahead of the pack.
Hot on his heels were two-time world uphill champion Patrick Kipngeno, last year’s World Cup winner Philemon Ombogo Kiriago, 2023 breakout star Christian Allen, and Eli Hemming, the reigning Skyrace champion.
As the runners ascended the ladder, Kipngeno showcased his climbing skills, pulling ahead of Walmsley.
Kipngeno claimed victory with a time of 36:21, leaving Walmsley to finish second in 37:49. Meikael Beaudoin-Rousseau secured third place with a time of 38:03, followed by Allen in fourth and Hemming in fifth.
The women’s race was equally intense. Allie McLaughlin set the pace early on, followed closely by Muthoni Njeru, the defending World Cup champion, and Anna Gibson, last year’s Broken Arrow VK winner, who is also competing in the upcoming US Olympic Trials for the 1500m.
As the race neared its final climb, Muthoni Njeru surged ahead, demonstrating her strength and endurance.
Muthoni Njeru won decisively, finishing in 45:39. In a tightly contested race for the remaining podium spots, Gibson took second place with a time of 47:35, just ahead of McLaughlin, who finished third in 47:50.
Hali Hafeman moved up to take fourth place, and Jessica Brazeau completed the top five.
The Broken Arrow VK has set a high standard for the rest of the Valsir Mountain Running World Cup, highlighting the exceptional talent and competitive spirit of the athletes. The course’s tough terrain and unpredictable conditions added to the excitement of the race.
With the Broken Arrow Skyrace scheduled for Sunday, the performances of Kipngeno and Muthoni Njeru have already set the tone for an exciting season.
Their victories at the season opener marks them as strong contenders in the mountain running circuit, promising more thrilling races and unforgettable moments in the upcoming events.
Photo: World Athletics
