
Atuya leads Kenyan mountain running sweep in Italy
Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 26.07.25. | 23:45
Action continues on Sunday with crucial points on offer
Richard Omaya Atuya continued to dominate at the 2025 WMRA Mountain Running World Cup on Saturday, 26 July, leading an All-Kenyan top-five sweep at the Giir di Mont Uphill in Premana, Italy.
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Fresh off victory in the men’s uphill race on the opening day at Vauban Mountain and Trail last weekend, and a fourth place finish on the second day, Atuya used the same tactics, pulling away in the latter stages for a 39:49.
The victory puts him in prime position for the overall title as the competition heats up.
He was up against a staked field, that included the top three in the men’s World Cup competition, Paul Machoka, Philemon Ombogo Kiriago, Michael Selelo Saoli and Josphat Kiprotich, in one of the strongest Kenyan lineups this year.
This race was also the Italian Uphill only Mountain Running Championship, so there was an incredibly strong cohort of Italian athletes in both the men’s and women’s race too.
After going out quick off the start, the Kenyans took charge and Atuya eventually broke free to win. Kiriago was close behind in 40:07, with another narrow gap to Machoka in third in 40:17. The top five were all Kenyan and within one minute of each other.
In the women's race saw World Cup leader Scout Adkin take the win in 47:52. Francesca Ghelfi chased her to the end and took second in 47:58, with the unstoppable Mayr competing the podium in 48:31.
Kenya's Valentine Jepkoech Rutto, second on the World Cup standings and Gloria Chebet complete the top five.
Women's Results
Scout Adkin (GBR) 47:52
Francesca Ghelfi (ITA) 47:58
Andrea Mayr (AUT) 48:31
Valentine Jepkoech Rutto (KEN) 48:46
Gloria Chebet (KEN) 49:24
Men's Results
Richard Omaya Atuya (KEN) 39:49
Philemon Ombogo Kiriago (KEN) 40:07
Paul Machoka (KEN) 40:17
Josphat Kiprotich (KEN) 40:32
Michael Selelo Saoli (KEN) 40:45













