Double delight for Kenya in Switzerland mountain running

Kenya's Mark Kangogo and Esther Chesang were a cut above the rest of the loaded fields at the 31km Race of the Five 4000s Sierre-Zinal mountain running race. 

The duo won the men and women's race respectively as the 2022 World Mountain Running Association (WMRA) World Cup hit the half way point with this Gold Label race from in Switzerland.

Kangogo beat a strong field that included favorite, Kilian Jornet, to cross the finish line first with a time of 2:27:31, one minute and 48 seconds faster than second placed Andreu Blanes. 

Another Kenya Patrick Kipngeno, who was the favourite from the Kenan team, having raced to a perfect record in the Valsir World Cup, and broken Jairo Correa's 1990 course record at Thyon-Dixence last weekend, finished third in 2:29.19. 

Murigi, Njeru chase Sierre-Zinal mountain running victory

In the women's race Esther Chesang's hard work on the trails was rewarded with gold as she timed 2:42.01 to beat experienced Maude Mathis who was one of the favourites heading to the race. 

The Iten-based Sky Runners athlete did not let her inexperienced in mountain racing stop her as she is a road racer who had little time to prepare for the task and made her debut with a bang. 

She finished just 31 seconds ahead of Mathis as another Kenyan Philiaries Kisang clocked 2:58.00 to complete the podium places. 

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Men

Mark Kangogo 2h27.31

Andreu Blanes Reig 2h29.19

Patrick Kipngeno 2h29.35

Petro Mamu 2h30.18

Kilian Jornet 2h30.19

Philemon Kiriago 2h30.47

Robert Pkemoi 2h31.32

Daniel Osanz 2h34.03

Rémi Bonnet 2h34.37

Robbie Simpson 2h34.4

Women

Esther Chesang 2h 52.01

Maude Mathis 2h 52.32

Philiaries Kisang 2h58.00

Kwamboka Omosa Teresiah 3:01.13

Sarah McCormack 3h04,12

Bailey Kowalczyk 3h04.48

Wambui Murigi 3h:06:38

Nuria Gil 3h07.59

Sara Alonso 3h08:12

Tabor Scholl 3h08:58