Kenya's Atuya reigns supreme in Round Five of Valsir Mountain Running World Cup

Kenyan runner Richard Omaya Atuna claimed victory at La Montee du Nid d’Aingle this weekend as this year’s Valsir Mountain Running World Cup got to round five in St. Gervais, France.

The 2022 10km Nyanza South regional cross country winner, who was involved in the lead group for the majority of the race, took the win in 1:46:55, leading Kenyan compatriot Josphat Kiprotich for a 1-2 finish.

Kiprotich held on to second place and finished just under a minute behind in 1:47:40.

In the women’s race, Kenya’s duo of Gloria Chebet and Philaries Jeruto Kisang meanwhile came in second and third respectively, behind eventual race winner Scout Adkin of Great Britain.

Summary

Under blue skies and in warm temperatures, the runners lined up in Le Fayet at the historic thermal baths, ready for this 20km race with 1850m of ascent and 650m of descent.

A small group quickly established itself at the front of the men’s race. Kiprotich, Philemon Ombogo Kiriago, Atuya, Michael Selelo Saoli and Sylvain Cachard broke away and the lead continually changed.

The group broke up slightly as they emerged in St Gervais, and then continued to splinter on the fast river sections. At this point it looked like any one of this group could win.

By the time they reached Chalet Miage at the 13.5km point it was Atuya who had opened a gap of 30 seconds over Kiprotich. There was then a gap of one minute and 45 seconds to Saoli, with Kiriago and Cachard just a few seconds behind.

Atuya couldn’t be caught on the climb and he took the win, with Kiprotich and Selelo Saoli completing the men’s podium.

The series now heads to Premana in Italy for Giir di Mont, the second long race in this year’s World Cup, on 28 July. It is a 32km race with 2400m of ascent.

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