Germany win women’s gold and Kenya take men’s title as Uganda dominate the under-20 races on final day at the World Mountain and Trail Champs.
Germany’s Nina Engelhard and Kenya’s Philemon Kiriago have been crowned world champions in the Classic discipline on the fourth and final day (Sept 28) of the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in the town of Canfranc, in the Aragonese Pyrenees.
Titus Masau and Julia Ehrle took the under-20 titles.
The final day of the Canfranc-Pirineos World Championships once again enjoyed splendid weather, allowing athletes to fully enjoy the trails of the Aragonese Pyrenees. Thousands of spectators lined the course which was held in and around the small Pyrenean village.
Engelhard at the double
The race started with three Ugandan runners leading alongside Kenyan Joyce Muthoni. But as the runners entered the forest, Germany’s Engelhard took the lead, looking to open a gap already on the first climb. By the time they passed the Cargates dam, she had a 20-second lead over Uganda’s Rispa Cherop, Kenya’s Ruth Gitonga, and Switzerland’s Oria Liaci.
In the second loop, Engelhard extended her lead to more than two minutes by the summit. Behind her, Swiss runner Oria moved into second place, while Gitonga and Cherop battled for bronze. Muthoni slipped back and out of medal contention.
Not even a fall on the steep downhill could stop Engelhard, who crossed the finish line at the iconic International Railway Station with impressive strength.
The German secured her second gold of these World Championships, after also winning the Uphill race on Thursday.
She finished with a time of 71:00.
The fight for the remaining medals was thrilling: Gitonga claimed silver in 72:54, and Liaci took bronze with 73:15.
Engelhard said: “I did active recovery over the last three days, combining ice, rest, easy runs, and other activities. Even so, I felt cramps in my quads during the descent, but I managed to keep them under control and take the win.”
Kenya won team gold from the United States with Switzerland third.
Kiriago crowned men’s winner
Uganda’s Martin Kiprotich took the lead right from the start, opening a gap that by the time they reached the first summit was 14 seconds over Kenya’s Philemon Kiriago, with fellow Ugandan Ken Koros another 10 seconds behind. Close behind were Aziz Chebet, Brayan Rodríguez, and Mason Coppi — all within 30 seconds and still in medal contention.
CLICK HERE to Read the Full Original Article at Athletics Weekly…