NAIVASHA, Kenya, November 16 – Road runner Ruth Gitonga had a debut to remember when she topped the women’s 11.54km race at the Mount Longonot Trail Challenge on Saturday in Naivasha.
The Run2Gether athlete clocked 1:14:50 to take first place, ahead of teammate Philaries Kisang’ (1:15:25) and Joyline Chepngeno (1:16:45) in second and third respectively.
Gitonga admitted winning the race was not part of the script.
” To be honest, I had not trained for mountain running coming into today’s race. I am more of a road race specialist and so I didn’t give myself much of a chance coming into today’s competition,” the winner admitted.
For Kisang’, the search for a first ever win on home soil, having joined mountain running in 2022.
“The course was much more difficult than what I am used to. I have participated in this trail before but it has never been this tough as it was today,” the Iten-born said.
The 28-year-old is nonetheless grateful for the opportunity to get up to speed with her fitness ahead of the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships.
“I thank God for the grace to finish second today. It prepares me for the World Championships where my goal is to win the title,” Kisang’ said.
Saturday’s competition was a ranking event for the World Mountain Running Association (WMRA) with president Tomo Sarf in attendance.
