ADVENDURE is the leading web portal in Greece about Mountain Running, Adventure, Endurance and other Mountain Sports
THE CLASSIC UP & DOWN: 18KM OF CLIMBING, DESCENDING AND DECISIONS
The race covered approximately 18km with around 1,200 metres of ascent. It demanded far more than raw speed. Athletes needed strength on the climbs, control on the descents and good judgement over a course that kept changing rhythm.
©WMRA - Marco Gulberti
After the opening climb through the pagoda area, runners dropped into the first technical downhill of the day before entering a rolling middle section of around four kilometres. At CP2 (km 9), the race reached its key moment, with the biggest climb on the course shaping the final outcome before the descent to the finish.
MEN’S RACE: SAOLI TAKES CHARGE EARLY
Kenya’s Michael Selelo Saoli moved to the front from the start and never gave the field much room to respond. He reached the Silver Pagoda Forest and the first major climb in the lead, followed by Italy’s Isacco Costa and fellow Kenyan Paul Machoka, with Britain’s Andrew Douglas close behind.
Saoli stayed strong through the technical downhill and the faster middle section, arriving at CP2 still in control. On the longest climb of the day, he held his advantage and then managed the final descent well to secure victory in 1:25:49.
Costa continued his excellent weekend with second place in 1:28:00, while Machoka took third in 1:28:58. Douglas ran consistently for fourth in 1:29:31, and Italy’s Luca Merli finished fifth in 1:30:43.
©WMRA Marco Gulberti
MEN’S TOP 10
1. Michael Selelo Saoli ?? — 1:25:49
2. Isacco Costa ?? — 1:28:00
3. Paul Machoka ?? — 1:28:58
4. Andrew Thomas Douglas ?? — 1:29:31
5. Luca Merli ?? — 1:30:43
6. Alex Baldaccini ?? — 1:33:37
7. Tyler Charles McCandless ?? — 1:34:48
8. Lleir Barcons Companopsada ?? — 1:35:30
9. Kieran Christian Nay ?? — 1:35:57
10. 杨涛 ?? — 1:37:15
Full results HERE
WOMEN’S RACE: NJERU STAYS CALM AND DELIVERS
The women’s race opened at a fast pace, with Kenya’s Joyce Muthoni Njeru reaching the Silver Pagoda Forest in first place alongside Chinese runner Liu Junhui.
As the race developed, USA athlete Courtney Barnes Coppinger and Switzerland’s Maude Mathys moved into the main chasing positions. By CP2, Njeru still held the lead, while the battle for the podium remained close behind her.
On the decisive climb, Njeru kept her rhythm and never looked under real pressure. Courtney held second, Mathys stayed third, and on the final downhill Italy’s Camilla Magliano used her descending skills to move past Liu Junhui.
Njeru crossed the line in 1:40:33 for victory. Courtney Barnes Coppinger followed in 1:42:27, with Mathys third in 1:43:17.
WOMEN'S TOP 10
1. Joyce Muthoni Njeru (KEN) – 1:45:02
2. Courtney Barnes Coppinger (USA) – 1:46:49
3. Maude Mathys (SUI) – 1:47:16
4. Camilla Magliano (ITA) – 1:48:19
5. 刘君慧 (CHN) – 1:48:43
6. Camila Amaya Noe (USA) – 1:49:41
7. Eden Indigo Bliss Odea (GBR) – 1:50:11
8. Alice Gaggi (ITA) – 1:53:10
9. Sara Ann Willhoit (GBR) – 1:54:43
10. Katinka Von Elsner Wellsteed (AUS) – 1:59:39
©WMRA - Christian Rizzi
Full Reusults HERE
A VENUE TO REMEMBER
Athletes praised the chance to compete across two extraordinary venues in Beijing Changping. From the ancient stone steps and historic walls of Juyongguan Great Wall to the forested trails and centuries-old pagodas of the Silver Pagoda Forest, the weekend offered settings unlike any other in the sport. Technical courses, cultural heritage and dramatic mountain scenery gave both races a character entirely their own.
Together, the Great Wall Uphill and the Silver Pagoda Forest Classic added a memorable chapter to the 2026 World Cup season, while local officials welcomed the opportunity to showcase Changping’s cultural identity, natural beauty and commitment to hosting world-class sport.
The WMRA Mountain Running World Cup 2026 now moves on to Transvulcania in Spain in two weeks’ time, where athletes will contest both an Uphill race and a Long Distance race on the volcanic trails of La Palma.
IN MOUNTAIN RUNNING WE TRUST.
WMRA PHOTO USAGE POLICY
The photographs included in this press release are provided exclusively for editorial and promotional use in connection with the coverage of this specific press release and/or any other event that is part of the WMRA.
All images are free of rights only for the intended purpose described above. Any use of the photographs for commercial purposes, advertising, or unrelated editorial content is strictly prohibited without prior written consent from the WMRA.
Reproduction, alteration, or redistribution of the images outside the defined scope may constitute a violation of copyright law and could result in legal action.
For any additional usage or licensing inquiries, please contact: [email protected]
About the WMRA:
Formed in 1984, the World Mountain Running Association is the global governing body for mountain running and has the goal of promoting mountain running for all ages and abilities.
As well as the World Cup, the WMRA organizes Masters, U18 and area championships and in partnership with the World Athletics, ITRA and IAU to deliver the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships, with the last event held in CanfrancPirineos Spain in 2025. The WMRA also maintains the Mountain Running World Ranking, a system of points allocated to athletes based on the results in designated races.