Murigi, Njeru chase Sierre-Zinal mountain running victory

Kenya's mountain running duo of Lucy Murigi and Joyce Njeru are in action on Saturday 13 August as they take on a loaded field at the 31km Race of the Five 4000s race. 

The 2022 World Mountain Running Association (WMRA) World Cup hits the half way point with this Gold Label race from Sierre to Zinal in Switzerland.

Three-time winner Murigi, is looking for her first World Cup win of the year after second places at Grossglockner Berglauf and Giir di Mont.

Njeru who has been the standout performer on the Valsir Mountain Running World Cup this year, winning four Gold Label races from four starts as a favourite. 

Only one woman has beaten Njeru in Europe this season, Kisang Philiaries at Thyon-Dixence just last weekend. Both women will start among the favourites.

Camilla Magliano, third in the World Cup standings, will also start as Maude Mathys returns on the hunt for her fourth win. Mathys has been unstoppable here, running the three fastest winning times in the last three editions, culminating in last year's 2:46:03.

There are a number of previous podium finishers looking for an upgrade. Anais Sabrie, second in 2020 and third in 2021, will be looking to move up to the top step, while Simone Troxler and Emma Pooley, third in 2018 and 2020 respectively, are also back for more.

In the men's race, Patrick Kipngeno who hasn't put a foot wrong this year is a favourite. On top of his perfect record in the Valsir World Cup, last weekend he broke the great Jairo Correa's 1990 course record at Thyon-Dixence. 

Also under the course record at that race was Mark Kangogo, who lines up here too. Kipngeno's teammate Philemon Kiriago has hardly been less impressive and will come into the race on a high after taking the win at Fletta Trail on Sunday following a string of second places.

@ World Athletics