Yet another title for mountain runner Murigi

Two-time world mountain running champion Lucy Wambui Murigi raced to the overall women’s long mountain title in the Valsir Mountain Running World Cup, winning the Zumaia Flysch Trail, a Gold Label race held on Sunday

Victory in the men’s race was claimed by Loic Robert, who moved from fourth to second in the final ‘long’ category standings.

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The penultimate race in this year’s World Cup served up thrilling racing and fast times on a perfect day for mountain running the Basque Country.

Kenya’s Murigi was looking to go one better than the second place she claimed last year, while Italy’s Camilla Magliano was running her 10th World Cup race of the season. 

Robert and Murigi set their stalls out early. Despite the efforts of those behind, both athletes would only increase their advantage, making the most of the conditions to come home in impressive course records.

Robert's 1:28:41 was eight minutes faster than Geoffrey Ndungu's winning time from last year and over four minutes clear of Criado, who high-fived his way into the finish to take a jubilant second.

Murigi's winning margin was smaller. She crossed the line in 1:39:59, wrapping up a dominant performance that saw her win by almost four minutes. 

Her win was enough for her to leapfrog Joyce Njeru to take overall victory in the long category. Magliano came tantalisingly close to also overtaking Njeru, falling just two points short and taking third.

The overall category win was always out of reach for Robert, who trailed Petro Mamu by 55 points before the race, but he did manage to climb from fourth to second, overtaking Patrick Kipngeno and Philemon Kiriago who have been so prolific this season. Kiriago had already done enough to finish third overall.

All eyes now turn to the Valsir World Cup Final, the Kilometro Verticale Chiavenna-Lagunc, on Saturday 8 October. 

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Njeru and Kipngeno already have the overall titles sewn up, but with podium spots available and bonus points on offer, the racing will be frantic.

Additional Reporting by World Athletics