Joyline Chepngeno and Philemon Ombogo Kiriago of Kenya emerged as the champions at the recent Sierre-Zinal mountain race.
Chepngeno successfully defended her title, while Kiriago reclaimed his in a day of thrilling finishes.
In the women’s race, Chepngeno overcame a 90-second deficit to fellow Kenyan Caroline Kimutai, who led for most of the race.
Chepngeno’s powerful climb and descent secured her the win in 2:54:29. Kimutai finished an impressive second in her debut with a time of 2:55:31, and the USA’s Katie Schide took third.
The men’s race saw another debutant, Swiss triathlete Adrien Briffod, set a fast early pace.
However, Kiriago, along with Kenyans Patrick Kipngeno and Michael Selelo Saoli, caught him on the final downhill.
Kiriago pushed ahead to win in 2:28:45, followed closely by Kipngeno (2:29:08) and Saoli (2:29:14), completing a Kenyan sweep of the men’s podium.
