THE MEN’S RACE

The men set off first and with no Richard Atuya, Michael Saoli or Patrick Kipngeno (respectively second, third and fourth in the 2026 World Cup competition) owing to visa issues the one thing that was certain was that this race was going to shake up the World Cup! There was, however, a certain Phllemon Kiriago (KEN), leader of the men’s World Cup with 304 points going into the race. Kiriago seemed like the favourite, considering his results this season, but he was going to be pushed by runners who were much more of an unknown quantity than his Run2gether team mates.

The men set off fast and made light work of the first reasonably flat 2km. They were tightly packed with a group of about ten including Kiriago, Mason Coppi (USA), Remi Leroux (CAN), Cameron Smith (USA) and Meikal Beaudoin Rousseau (USA).

Once they hit the climb they did start to spread out a little. Initially it was Leroux leading, with Kiriago right on his heels, Smith, Beaudoin Rousseau and Coppi, with Andrea Elia (ITA) leading a small chasing pack. Then it looked increasingly like the podium would come from this group as they opened a larger gap to the rest of the field. But was Kiriago just biding his time to break away as we’ve seen him do so often?

As they approached the finish line it was Beaudoin Rousseau who had broken away and he took the win in 28.55. Leroux was just seconds behind, taking second in 29.04 and Smith was close behind him to complete the podium in 29.12. Kiriago had to settle for fourth and Elia fifth. 21-year-old Edward Hobbs (GBR), who burst onto the World Cup scene at Vertical Nasego this year, took an impressive sixth.

THE WOMEN’S RACE

With no Ruth Gitonga (women’s World Cup leader) and Miriam Chepkirui (fifth place) due to visa issues, and with some of the athletes in the top ten in the competition taking part, the points up for grabs today would be decisive for the final positions. Joyce Muthoni Njeru (KEN), currently trailing Gitonga by 74 points was on the start line, as was third place Kirsty Skye Dickson (GBR). But there was one big favourite in the women’s race and that was Nina Engelhard (GER), current uphill World Champion, who is seemingly back in top form after an injury-affected season.

Engelhard wasted no time in hitting the front. By the 2km point she had already opened up a gap on a small group including Skye Dickson, Elisa Morin (CAN), and Njeru. As they hit the climb Engelhard continued to turn the screw and looked ominously comfortable. During the long climb Skye Dickson continued to lead the chase, and now the chasing pack had been joined by Anne-Marie Comeau (CAN) and Erin Moyer (USA). But could Engelhard be caught?

In what was a dominant display of leading from gun to tape Engelhard just stretched that gap out even further and won in 36.43. With a gap of 1 minute 49 seconds Skye Dickson took second in 38.32. Moyer rounded out the podium in 38.44. Nelie Clement (FRA) had a very strong second half of the race for fourth, and Celine Aebi (SUI) came through for fifth. Njeru was eighth.

2026 WORLD CUP UPHILL CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS

Today’s final race in the uphill category decided the final standings in that competition.

Women

Joyce Muthoni Njeru (KEN) – 134 points

Kirsty Skye Dickson (GBR) – 126 points

Ruth Gitonga (KEN) – 110 points

Men

Richard Atuya (KEN) – 142 points

Philemon Kiriago (KEN) – 110 points

Patrick Kipngeno (KEN) – 100 points

DEFI DES COULEURS CLASSIC RACE

The final, deciding race of the World Cup takes place tomorrow in the Classic Up and Down Race. 11km and 800 metres of ascent to go until we crown our 2026 World Cup champions!

You can find a live feed of the race here: https://www.youtube.com/live/fHQ_d6myHY8

©Defi des Couleurs

IN MOUNTAIN RUNNING WE TRUST

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.