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Both start lists reflected the strength of this year's World Cup field. Andrea Mayr of Austria and Kenya's Patrick Kipngeno, past winners with multiple victories between them, lined up alongside reigning World and European champions such as Nina Engelhard (GER) and Jacob Adkin (GBR). They were joined by several athletes who have emerged as this season's breakout performers, setting up a genuinely open contest with an incredible depth of fields in both races.
The women’s race
The women have a separate start here, to ensure equal coverage and their own finish line. They set off at 10am, with the men’s race starting 45 minutes later.
Engelhard, as reigning World Champion in the uphill race, was a favourite on paper, but she has been injured this year, and this was her first race back, so we waited to see how her race would unfold. It turned out that she was certainly back to fitness, as she looked strong throughout. She won in 39.29 in a dominant performance. It wasn’t a surprise to see Kirsty Skye Dickson (GBR) leading the chase, just as we’ve seen her really attack so many races this year. She finished second in 40.19.
©Davide Vaninetti
Seven-time World Champion Mayr, who has won here three times, took a very impressive third in 40.59, proving that she is still able to compete at the very highest level against runners who are 20 years younger than her. Mayr still holds the record here (38.39), which she set in 2019.
Our women’s World Cup leader, Ruth Mwihaki Gitonga (KEN) was hot on Mayr’s heels, just eight seconds behind in fourth. 20 year-old rising star Miriam Chepkirui (Ken) added another strong result to her impressive 2026 World Cup competition by taking fifth, maintaining a 30 second gap from Christel Dewalle (FRA).
The men’s race
The men’s race was similarly set up for a fascinating battle. As it played out the main duel was between three-time previous winner, Kipngeno, and last year’s winner – and record holder – Richard Omaya Atuya (KEN). Kipngeno came out on top this time, winning in 33.31, his fastest ever time here and just eight seconds off Atuya’s record. Atuya took second in 34.11.
The battle for third was between two Italian legends of uphill races – Andrea Elia and Henri Aymonod. Elia took third here for the second year in a row, finishing in a time of 34.40, with Aymonod just 20 seconds behind him.
Elijah Karuiki (KEN) beat fellow Run2Gether On Trail runner, Philemon Kiriago, to take fifth, adding another strong result to his World Cup campaign, and 21 year-old Edward Hobbs (GBR) beat some big names to take seventh in his first World Cup race.
Full results can be found here: https://www.endu.net/events/vertical-nasego-e-trofeo-nasego/results?eventId=100590&raceId=62150&categoryId=0&optionId=637751
©Davide Vaninetti
TROFEO NASEGO
The best thing about double header weekends is that the runners get the chance to go again tomorrow. Can Engelhard and Kipngeno do the double?
Trofeo Nasego is on Sunday 6th September, with a mass start at 9.30am.
Follow WMRA social media channels to keep up-to-date with the action.
IN MOUNTAIN RUNNING WE TRUST.
About the WMRA:
Formed in 1984, the World Mountain Running Association is the global governing body for mountain running and has the goal of promoting mountain running for all ages and abilities.
As well as the World Cup, the WMRA organizes Masters, U18 and area championships and in partnership with the World Athletics, ITRA and IAU to deliver the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships, with the last event held in CanfrancPirineos Spain in 2025. The WMRA also maintains the Mountain Running World Ranking, a system of points allocated to athletes based on the results in designated races.