Atuya sets Smarna Gora Race record, Muthoni Njeru extends World Cup lead

Richard Omaya Atuya and Joyce Muthoni Njeru achieved a Kenyan double at the Smarna Gora Race, the 10th race in this season’s Valsir Mountain Running World Cup, on Saturday.

Cool, drizzly and misty conditions greeted the runners for the race on the outskirts of the Slovenian capital of Ljubljana, making it a good temperature for running, but muddy in places with low visibility. The damp conditions also made the technical sections of rock tricky.

Taking on the 10km course that featured 710m of ascent, it was Omaya Atuya, the winner at Grossglocker and La Montee du Nid d’Aigle, who led in the opening stages of the men’s race. Josphat Kiprotich was a few seconds behind, ahead of Paul Machoka, with Michael Selelo Saoli 10 seconds further back.

By the second timing point it was all change. Kiprotich had taken the lead but it was incredibly close, with Omaya Atuya five seconds behind. There was another five seconds to Selelo Saoli, with Machoka right behind him. Former winner Timotej Becan lay in fifth place at that point, with just a minute separating the top five.

A trio of Italian runners – Andrea Elia, Alberto Vender and Tiziano Moia – sat just behind and the battle for places among the Italian runners was an interesting race in itself.

Omaya Atuya did catch Kiprotich in the final stages and he took the win in a race record of 41:30. Machoka secured second in 42:05 and Seleo Saoli third in 42:31. Kiprotich faded to fourth place (43:02), though this will still gain him valuable World Cup points, while Elia won the battle for fifth in 42:07.

In the women’s race it was initially Scout Adkin who took the lead on approach to the first timing point, though Muthoni Njeru was right on her heels with one second separating them.

It was no surprise to see Philaries Jeruto Kisang and last year’s winner Susanna Saapunki just behind them. Nusa Mali, who was third last year, was 10 seconds behind, while Alice Gaggi was also still in contention with the leading group.

By the second timing point Muthoni Njeru had overtaken Adkin and opened up a 40-second lead. Jeruto Kisang was a minute further back, with Mali in fourth, Gaggi in fifth and Saapunki dropped back to sixth.

Ultimately Muthoni Njeru could not be caught and she held off Adkin to win in 49:43. Adkin took second in 50:13, then there was a gap to Jeruto Kisang in third in 52:52. Saapunki fought her way back to take fourth in 53:21, with Mali just behind for fifth in 53:27.

Adkin was racing the morning after winning the Smarna Gora Record, a short blast uphill (1.85km with 360m of ascent). Luka Kovacic won the men's event.

With just two races to go, excitement is building in the World Cup competition. With today’s point, Adkin has overtaken Jeruto Kisang to move into second place in the rankings. Muthoni Njeru has strengthened her position as leader with 288 points, but it is still possible for Adkin and Jeruto Kisang to catch her next weekend.

In the men’s World Cup standings, the top four remain the same, but Omaya Atuya has overtaken Machoka to move into fifth place. It’s all very close at the top, with Patrick Kipngeno on 235 points, Philemon Ombogo Kiriago on 227 and Kiprotich now on 216. It’s all to play for in Chiavenna.