CANFRANC-PIRINEOS, Spain — Kenya made its mark on the opening day of the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships on Thursday, with two athletes climbing onto the podium in the punishing uphill race.
Richard Omaya Atuya, making his debut on the world stage, surged to silver in the six-kilometre vertical climb. Veteran Patrick Kipng’eno, a two-time world champion, followed closely to secure bronze.
The race was dominated by Switzerland’s Rémi Bonnet, who broke away early and never looked back. He crossed the line in 37 minutes 50 seconds, finishing more than a minute clear of the field.
Atuya, who clocked 39:04, said afterwards he had been inspired by the chance to compete among the sport’s best. “This is a big step for me. I gave everything on that climb, and I’m proud to bring a medal home for Kenya,” he told reporters.
Kipng’eno, who finished in 39:20, admitted it had been a tough day but welcomed the podium place. “The pace was brutal from the start, but I fought hard to stay in contention. I’m happy we’ve started with medals for the team,” he said.
The contest began with a sharp sprint along a 600-metre paved stretch, where America’s Christian Allen, Bonnet, and Atuya pushed the pace. Kipng’eno kept to the middle of the pack before moving up the field as the climb steepened.
By the 3.6-kilometre mark, Bonnet had already opened a 37-second lead over Atuya, with Kipng’eno nine seconds further back. The Swiss star stretched that advantage as the course wound through pine forest and across grassy ridges, sealing a decisive win.
Allen finished just outside the medals in fourth, Britain’s Jacob Adkin took fifth, and Uganda’s Eliud Cherop placed sixth.
Kenya’s women found the going harder in their uphill final. Germany’s Nina Engelhard claimed victory in 45:33, while Philaries Kisang Jeruto was the best-placed Kenyan in 14th, finishing in 48:35.
The championships continue through the weekend, with longer trail races still to come. For Kenya, Thursday’s podium finishes offered a bright start and a reminder of the country’s growing presence beyond the track.
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