Kenya’s Patrick Kipngeno and Joyce Muthoni Njeru completed a remarkable double victory at the Broken Arrow Skyrace in Palisades Tahoe, California.
Following their triumphs in the Vertical Kilometer (VK) races on Friday, both athletes dominated the 23km Skyrace on Sunday, solidifying their status as leading figures in the mountain running world.
The Broken Arrow Skyrace, a prominent event in the Valsir Mountain Running World Cup, challenged competitors with a demanding course that included a 1533m climb, technical trails, and breathtaking views from KT-22 to the iconic Washeshu Peak.
Unlike last year’s snow-affected race, this year’s event enjoyed ideal conditions with warm weather and clear skies.
Muthoni Njeru set the pace early, just as she had in the VK race, and maintained her lead throughout. She reached the first timing point at Snow King in 40:23, holding a nearly two-minute advantage over Tabor Hemming.
By the halfway mark at 10.5 miles, Njeru had extended her lead to two and a half minutes, though Hemming and a tightly-contested pack behind her continued to chase.
Njeru’s unyielding performance saw her finish the race in 2:11:52. Jade Belzberg, showcasing a strong final downhill, overtook Hemming to secure second place in 2:12:29. Hemming finished third in 2:13:31, with Allie McLaughlin and Daniella Moreno completing the top five.
In the men’s race, Kipngeno mirrored Njeru’s strategy, breaking away early. He reached the first timing point at Snow King in 32:49, a minute ahead of defending champion Eli Hemming. Kipngeno continued to widen the gap, maintaining a two-minute lead by High Camp.
Despite Hemming’s determined effort in the final downhill stretch, Kipngeno’s lead proved insurmountable. Kipngeno crossed the finish line in 1:45:37, with Hemming taking second in 1:47:00.
Philemon Ombogo Kiriago rounded out the podium with a time of 1:50:23, followed by Taylor Stack and Meikael Beaudoin-Rousseau.
This year’s race marked a return to form for the Broken Arrow Skyrace, with competitors and spectators alike enjoying the spectacular conditions.
The next challenge in the Valsir Mountain Running World Cup is the classic race at Grossglockner in Austria on 7 July, where athletes will continue to vie for supremacy in this grueling yet exhilarating sport.
