Downhill drama decides cross-country titles at WMRA World Cup mountain running event.
Following exciting Thursday (May 7) uphill racein which both the women’s and men’s course records fell Joyce Moutoni Njeru (KEN, Athletica Saluzzo) and Richard Omaya Atuya (KEN, Run2gether On Trail), respectively, the second leg of the 2026 WMRA Mountain Running World Cup double-header in Transvulcania concluded on Saturday (May 9) with the long-distance event.
The race marked the first long-distance race of the 2026 World Cup season, held over a 25-kilometre course that included 2,100 meters of ascent. Starting from the island’s iconic Faro de Fuencaliente lighthouse, the route followed the famous Ruta de los Volcanoes before ending at Refugio de El Pilar.
Competitors faced a formidable opening 17 kilometers of steady climbing, climbing 1,800 meters to the high point of Las Deseadas, before a challenging eight-kilometre descent took them to the finish line at El Pilar, 1,445 meters above sea level.
The course profile rewarded those with the stamina to hang on through the extended uphill sections, although the long descent to the finish provided equal opportunities for more accomplished cross-country skiers to make their mark.
DOWN TO THE WIRES ON THE BARS
Race day started out cold and foggy, but soon warmed up. It was no surprise to see Kenya’s Run2gether On Trail trio Richard Omaya Atuya, Philemon Ombogo Kyriago and: Ephantus Mwangi Njeri standing out from the start in the men’s race. They arrived at the Canarios aid station 7.5 kilometers away, just 15 seconds apart. At this point, the runners had climbed 700 meters in just 35 minutes. Behind the leading three Anthony Felber (FRA Brooks) led the chase, 2.30 minutes behind, back Linus Hultegaard (SWE Craft) and Tyler McCandless (USA).
It also stayed very close in the early stages of the women’s race with one of the stars of this year’s World Cup, Ruth Mwihaki Gitonga (KEN Run2gether On Trail) the early lead. But at first he couldn’t be shaken Kirsty Skye Dixon (GBR Carnethy Hill Runners) who finished a brilliant second in the Uphill race on Thursday, and Joyce Mouton Njeri (KEN NNormal), winner of the climb as all three crossed the Kanarios timed point within 40 seconds. Benedetta Broggi (ITA La Recastello – FUGA) led the chase 1.45 back with the locals Moana Lilly Kehres to sweep (ESP CD series), Sarah Wilhoite (GBR Rab Scarpa) and Lara Hamilton (AUS Carrerasdemontana).
The next point of time was the highest point of Las Deseadas at 1873 meters. Would it be as close in both races here, or would that long climb create more gaps? For the men, it was Atuya who was the first to reach the summit and it was clear that he had indeed managed quite a gap on Kiriago and Njeri. Kiriago reached the summit 2:24 behind him alongside Njeri. Behind them was a smaller gap of 1:30 between Felber and Hultergaard, with a trio of Spanish runners; Guillermo Ramos Munoz (Gaykar sport), Daniel Osanz Laborda (Adidas) and: Alvaro Perdomo School (Club Arista/Volbe Trail Team) behind them.
The climb to the top was also decisive in the women’s race, where Gitonga arrived three minutes ahead of Njeru, who had now overtaken Skye Dixon to open up a one-minute gap on her. Gitonga started to look uncatchable and it also looked like the podium was decided as fourth placed Brogie was almost six minutes behind them, with Kehres Kehres and Wilhoit still a minute and two minutes behind respectively. Everything was going downhill.
Unfortunately, in the men’s race, Njeri fell on a small climb after the start of the downhill and was injured. He was aided by marathon runners and forced to retire.
The finals of both races provided high drama. In the men’s race, Kiriago showed his dominance on the downhill, running a perfect final stretch, passing teammate Atua and opening up the smallest of gaps. Felber also passed Atua and pushed Quiriago to the finish at El Pilar. However, Kiriago was unable to win and he won in a record 2:07:43, with Felber second in 2:07:47. There was a photo finish worthy of a race between Atua and Hultegaard for third, with the runners tied for third place.
Gitonga showed a similar level of dominance in the downhill in the women’s race and also showed what a rising star she is on the circuit, winning in 2:22:50, another course record. Njeru held on for second place and was unable to beat Gitonga’s time, finishing in 2:25:39.
Skye Dixon held strong in third, finishing in 2:33:21. Kehres Kehres was two minutes back in fourth, with Brogy a further 1:30 adrift in fifth. Same top five as the race above, but in a different order.
THE NEXT WORLD CUP COMPETITION?
Now there’s a World Cup break before we switch continents again for Broken Arrow on June 19th.
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