Kenya bags silver and bronze at World Mountain Championships
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Two-time world champion Patrick Kipng’eno settled for bronze, while reigning Mountain Running World Cup champion Philemon Kiriago placed 17th in the 6km uphill contest that launched Day One of the global showpiece.
The race began with a 600m flat paved sprint that saw Christian Allen (USA), Rémi Bonnet (Switzerland) and Atuya pushing the early pace as Kipng’eno held back in the middle pack.
By the 3.6km mark, as the field crested a grassy ridge after climbing through pine forest, Bonnet had already broken clear — leading by 37 seconds ahead of Atuya, with Kipng’eno another nine seconds adrift in third.
The Swiss ace continued to extend his gap and charged to victory in 37:50, more than a minute clear of the field.
Atuya impressed on his World Championship debut, chasing strongly to claim silver in 39:04, while Kipng’eno fought to secure bronze in 39:20. Allen (USA) finished fourth in 39:28, with Britain’s Jacob Adkin (39:34) and Uganda’s Eliud Cherop (40:09) rounding out the top six.
In the women’s uphill race, Germany’s Nina Engelhard delivered a runaway win in 45:33. Kenya’s Philaries Kisang Jeruto finished 14th, clocking 48:35.
Men’s 6km Uphill Final Results:
1. Rémi Bonnet (Switzerland) – 37:50
2. Richard Omaya Atuya (Kenya) – 39:04
3. Patrick Kipng’eno (Kenya) – 39:20
4. Christian Allen (USA) – 39:28
5. Jacob Adkin (UK) – 39:34
6. Eliud Cherop (Uganda) – 40:09
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