27TH APRIL 2024, START MIDDAY (UTC+8), 22KM, 1,530M V+ MOUNT SIGUNIANG, CHINA Joyce Njeru and Patrick Kipngeno win the Four Sisters Mountain Trail, the second stage of the Golden Trail World Series.

Patrick Kipngeno, King of Asia

Patrick Kipngeno (KEN – Run2gether ON AG) dreaded the muddy conditions they’d had in the last few days, but he can thank the sun for showing its face and completely drying out the course in just a few hours. The Kenyan took advantage of these ideal conditions to take the lead from the outset and cruise his way to the finish line. He is now comfortably at the top of the overall ranking with two wins from the two stages in Asia. "I’m thrilled with this second win in a row. This season, I’m injury-free and this changes everything for me, I feel like I can compete at my best. Last year, I really suffered at the end of the season, that’s why I took a complete break for two months so I could come back stronger. Now, I can’t wait for Sierre-Zinal. I know that Rémi Bonnet will be there and I’m really looking forward to our head-to-head."

Elhousine Elazzaoui (MAR – Nnormal) was no match for Patrick Kipngeno’s speed, and the "Fying Camel" had to make do with second place on this second stage. "I’m a bit disappointed because I really wanted to win this race, but it was really tough, especially up to the 6-km mark because of the altitude. But I fought hard because I wanted that second place. The season isn’t over yet, there are more races to come, and I know there will be more good results!"

Third place was hotly contested for a long time but it was Daniel Pattis (ITA – Brooks) who ultimately managed to grab the podium spot, who for a while thought he could rob second place from Elhousine Elazzoui. "I didn’t really know what to expect on this race, especially with the altitude; I felt good all week, but I know that doesn’t mean anything. I was both excited and nervous at the start line because I wanted to do really well after the result in Japan. In the end, the race went really well for me and I’m thrilled with this podium spot."

Joyce Njeru, a perfectly executed first!

She was also concerned about having muddy conditions so made the most of the sunshine to show off her speed on this almost completely dried-out course. Joyce Njeru (KEN – Atletica Saluzzo) claimed her first victory on the Golden Trail World Series. "I’m so happy! On the start line, I was getting a bit worked up because I wanted this victory so badly and I knew I was capable of it. But I quickly calmed myself down and got into my pace. Today, it wasn’t about battling with the others it was about battling with myself to do the perfect race. I knew I was strong in both the climbs and downhills, and I proved it today."

Despite a strong race, Maude Mathys (CHE – Asics), victorious in Japan, this time had to settle for second place in this Chinese stage. "It was a tough race today, but I’m happy. I tried to set off slowly and control my heart rate because I didn’t want to suffer with the altitude. Grayson passed me at the top before the first big downhill, but bizarrely I managed to catch up with her just before I got to the bottom and that gave me a confidence boost for the rest of the race, and so I carried on accelerating even though it was mega tough from the race’s halfway point."

A lot of the women were worried about her, and for her first appearance at the Golden Trail World Series, Grayson Murphy (USA – Saucony) didn’t disappoint, and finished third despite suffering from cramps along the way. "I was having so much fun, and then suddenly I started getting cramps just near the end of the downhill. I tried getting some nutrition in, but the cramps persisted, I’ve even got them now! I’ve never had this problem before, so I need to find out what happened. But I’m really pleased with this first race on the Golden Trail Series and will come on other stages for sure!"

Zegama is Zegama!

After this Asian trip and the two first stages, the Golden Trail World Series will head to the Basque Country, for the legendary Zegama Aizkorri, the third stage of the season. See you of 26th May for some Basque Fever!

Results

Men

1 - Patrick Kipngeno (KEN – Run2gether ON AG): 01:59:10 (+200 pts)

2 - Elhousine Elazzaoui (MAR – Nnormal): 02:05:39 (+188 pts)

3 - Daniel Pattis (ITA – Brooks): 02:05:51(+176 pts)

4 - Philemon Ombogo Kiriago (KEN – Run2gether ON AG): 02:08:08 (+166 pts)

5 - Joey Hadorn (CHE – Salomon): 02:08:20 (+156 pts)

6 - Alain Santamaría Blanco (ESP – Salomon): 02:10:59 (+150 pts)

7 - Huohua Zhang (CHN – Salomon): 02:12:05 (+144 pts)

8 - Adil Moussaoui (MAR): 02:16:14 (+140 pts)

9 - Alex Garcia Carrillo (ESP – Brooks): 02:16:27 (+136 pts)

10 - Banglin Fan (CHN – Salomon): 02:16:38 (+133 pts)

Women

1 - Joyce Muthoni Njeru (KEN – Atletica Saluzzo): 02:25:27 (+200 pts)

2 - Maude Mathys (CHE – Asics): 02:29:44 (+188 pts)

3 - Grayson Murphy (USA – Saucony): 02:34:26 (+176 pts)

4 - Naiara Irigoyen Indave (ESP – A4XKM): 02:34:56 (+166 pts)

5 - Malen Osa Ansa (ESP – Salomon): 02:36:17 (+156 pts)

6 - Yao Miao (CHN – Salomon): 02:39:19 (+150 pts)

7 - Sara Alonso (ESP – Asics Trail Team): 02:41:30 (+144 pts)

8 - Julia Font Gomez (ESP – Brooks): 02:43:21 (+140 pts)

9 - Sylvia Nordskar (NOR – Hoka): 02:48:24 (+136 pts)

10 - Rosa Lara Feliu (ESP – Compressport): 02:52:04 (+133 pts)