Kenyans headline Slovenia mountain running event

Valsir Mountain Running World Cup leader Joyce Muthoni Njeru and Kenyan counterpart Josphat Kiprotich headline strong fields for the Smarna Gora Race on the outskirts of the Slovenian capital of Ljubljana on Saturday 5 October. 

Two strong fields have been announced for the event, with the men’s race featuring Kiprotich and Michael Selelo Saoli, who sit third and fourth respectively on the World Cup standings.

Muthoni Njeru, top of the rankings with 238 points, takes on Susanna Saapunki who is out to defend her title and event record-holder Andrea Mayr. 

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She has been incredibly consistent this season, and her wins at both Broken Arrow races back in June, and Trofeo Nasego at the start of September, are what put her at the top of the women’s World Cup rankings. 

The Kenyan is up against an exceptionally strong field with five of the current top six athletes in this year’s World Cup standings on the start line. A win for Muthoni Njeru could consolidate her lead. 

Jeruto Kisang, second with 207 points, five ahead of Scout Adkin, may not have stood on the top step of any World Cup podiums yet this year, but she has stood on the other steps on many of them after some very close races and that includes second places at Grossglockner and Vertical Nasego. 

Saapunki took the win here last year in an authoritative fashion, and with recent third places at Vertical Nasego and Trofeo Nasego she is clearly in form. And Mayr remains a force to be reckoned with on any start line. The seven-time world champion won Vertical Nasego and was second in Trofeo Nasego earlier this year.

Other women to watch include Alice Gaggi, who had a strong run at Giir di Mont; Nusa Mali, and was third here last year; and Charlotte Cotton, another consistent performer in the World Cup.

The men’s race also looks very competitive. As with the women’s race, several of the runners riding high in this year’s World Cup will be on the start line. 

Four of the six top points scorers will be in action and while that does not include the leaders – Patrick Kipngeno and Philemon Ombogo Kiriago – the race will feature the current third-placed athlete, Kiprotich, who is currently on 186 points, just 49 points behind Kipngeno. 

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A win for Kiprotich could see him take the lead in the men’s World Cup, with just two races remaining. Selelo Saoli is currently in fourth place with 148 points, so a win for him, and a failure of Kiprotich to make the top 10 here, could see him tie with or overtake him into third.

Kiprotich has been consistent this season, with his performances including second places at Grossglockner, La Montee du Nid d’Aigle and Vertical Nasego. Selelo Saoli, on his part, won Giir di Mont and also finished third at Grossglockner and La Montee du Nid d’Aigle.

Paul Machoka has also had a strong season, including a third at Trofeo Nasego and promising runs at both Grossglockner and Sierre Zinal. Richard Omaya Atuya had two impressive victories at Grossglockner and La Montee du Nid d’Aigle and could well be the runner to watch here.

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Additional reporting by World Athletics