22ND SEPTEMBER 2024, Start 9:40 AM (PDT, 6:40 PM CET), 26KM, 1,400M V+ MAMMOTH LAKES, USA Joyce Njeru and Elhousine Elazzaoui claim their third victory of the season at the last stage of the GTWS.
Elhousine Elazzaoui, another sprint win
"I tried several times today", confided Elhousine Elazzaoui (MAR – Nnormal) at the finish line. "Today, I wanted to try a new strategy, so I attacked several times. But Patrick was very strong, and he caught up with me each time. I tried again in the downhill, but he caught up with me again. But I won in the end, so I’m really happy."
Patrick Kipngeno (KEN – Run2gether/ON AG) lost out to the Moroccan in the home straight. "When I set off, I decided I was going to finish on the podium, but at kilometre 7 I realised I could push in the climb and take the lead. I tried dropping Elhousine and leading to the finish, but I didn’t win. Nevertheless, I’m very happy with this 2nd place."
Although he came in 3rd, Philemon Kiriago (KEN – Run2gether/ON AG) however revealed a well-oiled strategy between him and his teammate. "I had to set a blistering pace on the flat to exhaust the others so that Patrick could push in the climb. That was today’s plan, even if I had to stand aside afterwards. It almost worked, but we’ll have to push even harder in the final if we want to win!"
Joyce is the boss!
She said she didn’t want a sprint finish! Joyce Njeru (KEN – Atletica Saluzzo) took the reins from the outset and then forged her way up the climb creating a significant gap between her rivals; a gap that subsequently never reduced. "At the start of the race, I wasn’t feeling that great, especially due to the altitude. But from the kilometre 2 mark I started slowly feeling better and then I could attack on the climb and keep the lead to the finish. I’m thrilled with this victory, and I can’t wait for the final."
For the third time this season, Madalina Florea (ROM – Salomon) took 2nd place, as she did at Headlands and the Marathon du Mont-Blanc. "To be honest, considering how I felt before the start, I’m very pleased with this 2nd place! But I must admit I’m getting a bit fed up with coming in 2nd or 3rd! Let’s see if I can change that in the final!"
American Anna Gibson (USA – Brooks) rounds off the podium. "I tried to hold back in the first few kilometres. I knew that the altitude would take its toll on some of the girls, and I didn’t want to be one of them. So, I found my pace and started to push a little more once we arrived on the ridge. I managed to catch up to Rachel and it was really in the final kilometres that I managed to break away from her to get a podium finish."
We’re heading to the final!
As the season draws to a close, all the athletes will now focus on the Grand Final, which will be held from 17th to 20thOctober in Ascona-Locarno in Switzerland. Who will win the 2024 Golden Trail World Series? Find out in 4 weeks!
Results
Men
1 – Elhousine Elazzaoui (MAR – Nnormal): 1:49:35 (+200 pts)
2 – Patrick Kipngeno (KEN – Run2gether/ON AG): 1:49:36 (+188 pts)
3 – Philemon Kiriago (KEN – Run2gether/ON AG): 1:52:30 (+176 pts)
4 – Rémi Bonnet (CHE – Salomon/Red Bull): 1:52:59 (+166 pts)
5 – Daniel Pattis (ITA – Brooks): 1:59:31 (+156 pts)
6 – Marco Filosi (ITA - Salomon): 2:00:00 (+150 pts)
7 – Garett Corcoran (USA – Salt Lake Run Utah): 2:00:27 (+144 pts)
8 – Cesare Maestri (ITA – Nike Trail): 2:00:47 (+140 pts)
9 – Jonas Soldini (CHE – Salomon): 2:01:57 (+136 pts)
10 – Rémi Leroux (CAN – Merrell): 02:02:46 (+133 pts)
Women
1 – Joyce Njeru (KEN – Atletica Saluzzo): 2:11:56 (+200 pts)
2 – Madalina Florea (ROM – Salomon): 2:14:51 (+188 pts)
3 – Anna Gibson (USA – Brooks): 2:20:03 (+176 pts)
4 – Rachel Drake (USA – Nike Trail): 2:20:40 (+166 pts)
5 – Tabor Hemming (USA – Adidas Terrex): 2:21:47 (+156 pts)
6 – Lauren Gregory (USA – Nike Trail): 2:21:57 (+150 pts)
7 – Oria Liaci (CHE – CABV Martigny): 2:22:31 (+144 pts)
8 – Allie Ostrander (USA – Nnormal): 2:23:15 (+140 pts)
9 – Emkay Sullivan (USA – Craft): 2:23:39 (+136 pts)
10 – Miao Yao (CHN – Salomon): 2:24:39 (+133 pts)
