Jornet, Muthoni Njeru and Kipngeno headline stellar fields for Broken Arrow

Image: Scott Rockis Photography/WMRA, courtesy of World Athletics

Mountain running great Kilian Jornet and defending champions Joyce Muthoni Njeru and Patrick Kipngeno are among the athletes heading to Palisades Tahoe, California, this weekend for the Broken Arrow – part of the World Mountain Running Association World Cup.

Taking place in the world-famous ski resort against the backdrop of Lake Tahoe’s pristine alpine wilderness, runners will traverse rugged ridgelines for the Ascent Race on Friday (20) and the 23km Skyrace on Sunday (22).

The Ascent – Broken Arrow’s vertical kilometre race – starts on the valley floor and climbs up 914 metres over 4.8km to the summit of Washeshu Peak at 2708m. Along the way it takes in some brutally steep terrain, leading up to the iconic Headwall Ridge and the ‘stairway to heaven’ bolted ladder to the summit of Washeshu Peak. Runners will experience steep rock slabs, snow and scree.

Both the women’s and men’s fields are deeper and more international than ever this year. On the women’s side, Kenya’s Muthoni Njeru returns to defend her title and leads a world-class group of uphill specialists. A dominant force in uphill racing, she will face strong North American stars and last year’s second- and third-placed runners Anna Gibson and Allie McLaughlin, adding further depth and experience to an already loaded field.

Alongside Jornet in the men’s field, fans can expect fireworks from the world champion in the discipline and defending champion Kipngeno and Joseph Gray. European firepower comes in the form of Henri Aymonod, one of the best vertical specialists in the world known for his technical speed and experience in the WMRA World Cup.

The action continues with the 23km, which features almost 1600 metres of elevation gain across alpine ridges, snowfields and technical descents. It starts in Palisades Tahoe Village and most of the race takes place above the tree line on technical and demanding trails. Runners will be treated to views of Granite Chief Wilderness and they will experience Emigrant Pass, KT-22 and, like the VK runners, the ‘stairway to heaven’ ladder to Washeshu Peak. This race is part of both the WMRA World Cup and the Golden Trail World Series, attracting many of the top names in the sport.

The women’s 23km is incredibly competitive. Muthoni Njeru will double up, competing in both the Ascent and the 23km race, and will toe the line alongside Romanian elite Madalina Florea, and fast-rising US athletes Lauren Gregory, Janelle Lincks and Kristen Emge. Gibson and McLaughin will also double up, and last year’s runner-up, Jade Belzberg, could well feature again. 

Among the elite men, last year’s winner Kipngeno and his teammate Philemon Kiriago will be joined by Elhousine Elazzaoui in what a fascinating duel should be. These runners lead a fierce group that also includes Swiss runner Remi Bonnet. 

Aymonod will also double up and Germany’s Lukas Ehrle could be a runner to watch.

Story: Kirsty Reade (WMRA) for World Athletics