Kipngeno, Kiriago lead Kenya's hunt for medals in Thailand at mountain running championships

Patrick Kipngeno, on Friday 4 November, led Kenya to a 1-2 finish at the inaugural World Mountain and Trail Running Championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Kipngeno clinched gold with Philemon Kiriago settling for silver in the men’s classic uphill 8.5km race.  

Kipngeno went into the race as one of the favourites having won six gold label races during the Mountain Running World Cup circuit. Kiriago, an upcoming mountain runner, finished second during the series.

Touted as the revelation of the 2022 Valsir World Cup, Kipngeno was the man to beat and he lived up to the hope, clocking 46:51 ahead of his compatriot's 48:24 as Spain's Alejandro Garcia completed the podium places with a 49:03 run. 

With six Gold Label wins on the World Cup circuit, including multiple course records, and further victories at Dolomitenmann and Thyon-Dixence, Kipngeno has had a spectacular season.

Chepngetich ready for senior career after France training

For the first time ever, all the world's best off-road athletes have come together for a single, spectacular global event as the Thai city of Chiang Mai hosts the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships that is running from Friday 4 to Sunday 6 November. 

The inaugural championships is a collaboration between World Athletics, the World Mountain Running Association (WMRA), the International Association of Ultrarunners (IAU) and the International Trail Running Association (ITRA).

Friday 4 November

Classic uphill (mountain, 8.5km, 1014m elevation gain)

Saturday 5 November

Long trail (80km, 4910m elevation gain)

Short trail (40km, 2777m elevation gain)

Sunday 6 November

Junior classic up and down (11.2km, 441m elevation gain)

Classic up and down (mountain, 11.2km, 441m elevation gain)