19TH OCTOBER 2024, 23.5KM, 1,400M V+ Ascona-Locarno, Switzerland Joyline Chepngeno wins the Golden Trail World Series Grand Final but the title goes to Joyce Njeru.
Joyline dominates the final
We were expecting a duel between Joyline Chepngeno (KEN – Milimani Runners) and Joyce Njeru (KEN – Atletica Saluzzo), and it was on until Joyce twisted her ankle. With no immediate rivals and in impressive shape, Joyline Chepngeno flew to victory in this Grand Final.
"I wasn’t expecting to win this race because I’ve been suffering from a knee problem for several weeks, but I managed to get back into shape for the final. I’m thrilled because I showed what I could do at Sierre-Zinal but I haven’t been able to prove it again until now by winning the final. I really hope I can do the whole Series next year!"
Fading and struggling on the final downhill, Joyce also lost out to Lauren Gregory (USA – Nike Trail), who made the final technical section look easy! The American grabbed second place in the final kilometre.
"I had a blast on this race course, especially on the technical parts. I love this type of downhill and I managed to catch Joyce in the final loop to go neck and neck for second place. I’m definitely coming back to the Golden Trail Series next year, so I'll be choosing my races carefully to go for the more technical ones, even if I've already ticked Sierre-Zinal 2025 on my calendar."
Joyce Njeru wins the GTWS 2024!
Joyce Njeru nevertheless managed to clinch 3rd place, which meant overall victory in the Golden Trail World Series.
"I’m so happy to have won the Series! It’s a huge achievement in my career but also for my personal growth. I’m not disappointed that I didn’t win the final, everything was going fine, but I twisted my ankle halfway through the race and it became very complicated. But it doesn’t matter today, I’m just over the moon!"
Jael Morales Osegura wins the GTNS, Agnes Josefsson first in the U23s
In the Golden Trail National Series, it was the Mexican Jael Morales Osegura (MEX – GTNS MEXICO) who won the Grand Final. She finished ahead of Silvia Schwaiger (SVK – GTNS DACH) and Weronika Matuszczak (POL – GTNS CZE/SVK/POL).
Agnes Josefsson (SWE – GTNS NORDICS) won the U23 category in front of Betty Bergstrand (UK – GTNS UK/NL) and Miriam Morales Hernandez (MEX – GTNS MEXICO).
GTNS Nordics are in the lead
After the women’s race, the GTNS NORDICS lead the team ranking ahead of GTNS MEXICO and GTNS USA/CAN.
The last race tomorrow!
Only one race remains before the 2024 GTWS season comes to a close. Join us in Cardada (Ascona-Locarno) on 20th October at 11:35 am for the last men’s race in the Golden Trail Series final.
Results – Women’s Final
Overall
1 – JOYLINE CHEPNGENO (KEN – MILIMANI RUNNERS): 2:08:40 (+100 pts)
2 – LAUREN GREGORY (USA – NIKE TRAIL): 2:13:01 (+94 pts)
3 – JOYCE NJERU (KEN – ATLETICA SALUZZO): 2:13:31(+88 pts)
4 – JUDITH WYDER (CHE – HOKA /RED BULL): 2:13:58 (+83 pts)
5 – SARA ALONSO (ESP – ASICS): 2:14:08 (+78 pts)
6 – SOPHIA LAUKLI (USA – SALOMON): 2:14:40 (+75 pts)
7 – NAOMI LANG (UK – SALOMON): 2:17:52 (+72 pts)
8 – ORIA LIACI (CHE – CABV MARTIGNY): 2:18:27 (+70 pts)
9 – MALEN OSA (ESP – SALOMON): 2:20:05 (+68 pts)
10 – RACHEL TOMAJCZYK (USA – MERRELL): 2:20:14 (+67 pts)
GTNS - OVERALL (PROLOGUE + FINAL)
1 – JAEL MORALES OSEGUERA (MEX – GTNS MEXICO): 2:57:13
2 – SILVIA SCHWAIGER (SVK – GTNS DACH): 3:00:13
3 – WERONIKA MATUSZCZAK (POL – GTNS CZE/SVK/POL): 3:01:38
4 – KRISTIANE WIDTH (FIN – GTNS NORDICS): 3:02:48
5 – SARAH CARTER (USA – GTNS USA/CAN): 3:03:56
GTNS – U23 (PROLOGUE + FINAL)
1 – AGNES JOSEFSSON (SWE – GTNS NORDICS): 3:04:08
2 – BETTY BERGSTRAND (UK – GTNS UK/NL): 3:08:28
3 – MIRIAM MORALES HERNANDEZ (MEX – GTNS MEXICO): 3:11:13
4 – NURIA LLANSO (ESP – GTNS ESP/POR): 3:12:08
5 – BARBARA MARKOVA (POL – GTNS CZE/SVK/POL): 3:12:30
GTNS – TEAMS
1 – GTNS NORDICS: 7:07:57
2 – GTNS MEXICO: 7:09:17
3 – GTNS USA/CAN: 7:20:13
4 – GTNS DACH: 7:21:05
5 – GTNS ESP: 7:33:13
