Kenya Clinches Silver and Bronze at World Mountain Championships
Atuya, who showed great determination and calmness in his first-ever championship outing, recorded 39:04 to take silver.
Two-time world champion and veteran runner Patrick Kipng'eno was also impressive, claiming the bronze medal. Photo/ Courtesy
By Juliet Jerotich
Kenya has officially registered its medal tally at the 2025 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Canfranc-Pirineos, Spain. The country’s success was on Thursday during the vertical uphill race when Richard Omaya Atuya drove his way to a silver medal in his first appearance at the world championships.
Two-time world champion and veteran runner Patrick Kipng’eno was also impressive, claiming the bronze medal. Fellow Kenyan and reigning Mountain Running World Cup champion Philemon Kiriago lagged behind him, though, finishing 17th in the demanding 6km up-leg that opened the championship.
The race began with a 600-meter flat paved road, which allowed runners an opportunity to display their initial pace. America’s Christian Allen, Switzerland’s Rémi Bonnet, and Kenya’s Atuya were all the early leaders, setting the tempo from the beginning. Kipng’eno, however, chose a more cautious way, remaining in the middle group in the initial phase.
By 3.6km, the road had begun to open up after a ferocious ride through the pine forest and over an exposed grass ridge. At that stage, Bonnet had already taken a commanding 37-second lead back over Atuya. Kipng’eno was in third place behind his countryman, only nine seconds adrift.
The Swiss star retained the lead up to the finish line, coming in at 37:50 — more than a minute ahead of the rest. Atuya, who showed great determination and calmness in his first-ever championship outing, recorded 39:04 to take silver. Kipng’eno struggled to maintain his podium spot, coming in at 39:20 for bronze.
American Christian Allen was in touching distance of the medals but finished fourth in 39:28. Britain’s Jacob Adkin trailed just behind, recording 39:34, while Uganda’s Eliud Cherop completed the top six in 40:09.
In the women’s category, Germany’s Nina Engelhard was way ahead of her rivals, producing a victory time of 45:33. Kenya’s Philaries Kisang Jeruto was 14th in her time of 48:35, and she was already showing promise for her future races.
Men’s 6km Uphill Final Standings:
Rémi Bonnet (Switzerland) – 37:50
Richard Omaya Atuya (Kenya) – 39:04
Patrick Kipng’eno (Kenya) – 39:20
Christian Allen (USA) – 39:28
Jacob Adkin (UK) – 39:34
Eliud Cherop (Uganda) – 40:09
About Author
