CANFRANC VERTICAL: Daniel Osanz and Joyce Njeru win on the Valsir World Cup.
The inaugural edition of the Canfranc Canfranc Vertical Kilometer stood up to the enormous expectations generated: A spectacular course, a world elite field and a close fight to the finish line ended with Gold for Osanz and Njeru, silver for Naiara Irigoyen and Zak Hanna. bronze Philimon Kiriago and Laia García Montoya.
Written by Sergio Mayayo.
Canfranc-Canfranc kicked off its 2022 edition, the 16th, yesterday, Friday. It is an event whose reputation continues to grow year after year, built on the beauty of the ten peaks of the Aragonese Pyrenees that it summits, the passion of the entire population of Jacetania region and the proven solidness of its organization, with over 400 volunteers.
Yesterday, Friday at 6:00 p.m., the first Vertical Race (4k/D+927m) was launched, from Rioseta (1.400m) to Tuca Blanca (2.370m), it is a classic track for Aragonese mountain skiing that hosted a new sporting challenge now as a mountain race. The Vertical Canfranc made its grand debut as a venue for the Valsir World Cup.
Kenyans Joyce Njeru and Philemon Kiriago were seeded as top favorites,. Arrayed versus them, in the feminine Italian Camilla Magliano, France’s Olivia Magnone and young Spaniard Naiara Irigoyen, just back from winning Matterhon Ultraks. The men’s event was even more compelling, since against the Kenyan were three of the best Europeans: Frenchman Robert Loic, Irishman Zak Hanna (5th Europe 2022) and Spaniard Daniel Osanz (3rd European 2022)
Once the race was launched, the two Kenyans quickly took the lead in their usual style. In the first meters we already saw how Philemon took Zak Hanna after him, while Joyce was chased by Naiara.
Gold Daniel Osanz (ESP)
In the first meters we saw how Philemon took off, with Zak Hanna right after him. The initial surprise at seeing a quick gap opened with Dani Osanz in third place would soon dissipate as the young Aragonese runner soon came back to hook up with the leading two.
Even more, before the halfway point of the race Dani gave a strong push to go ahead alone in the lead, opening a gap that grew more and more and more until the finish line, where he was proclaimed champion with 34.29. Behind, the Irish Zak Hanna finished off a great race by attacking the Kenyan by surprise over the last meters and moved quickly ahead to the silver, with 35.07.
After them, a taste of bittersweet bronze for Philemon Kiriago who, despite setting a great time in 36.23, once again this 2022 failed to win gold. The top 5 was completed by the Frenchman Robert Loic with 38.22 and Spaniard Alex García Carrillo with 38.22
Gold for Joyce Njeru (KEN)
In the women´s race, if Joyce never gave up the lead, Naiara Irigoyen never allowed let her to relax either. We enjoyed a nice duel with just a few meters between the two. If the Kenyan is already a proven reality, number 1 in the World Ranking, the performance of the Navarrese was truly splendid and came up just 26 seconds behind the world cup champion at finish line, with a time of 44.04 for Joyce and 44.30 for Naiara.
Special mention also for Spaniard Laia García Montoya who managed a brilliant race. Her final time of 45.25 managed to beat two regular World Cup elites, such as Camilla Magliano and Olivia Magnone who with 46.26 and 48.06 respectively closed the top 5.
TELEVISION AND ONLINE FOLLOW-UP
The sports elite was also streamed live with comments by journalists Ana Samuelsson (editor Averno Trail) and Sergio Mayayo (editor Carrerasdemontana.com) together with the three-time World Athletics Ultra Trail champion Luis Hernando, based in this Jaca region for years.
Yesterday´s race can be reviewed fully at the official youtube channel, which will also come live again on Sunday from 7:30-1:00 p.m. for the Classic 16k, the 10th Gold Label Race of the Valsir World Cup.
From Kenya to France, Italy, Australia, the United States, and Spain for sure. The winners of the Canfranc Canfranc in the previous fifteen years represent a true who’s who of this sport, both nationally and internationally. Up to three Spanish world champions, Luis Alberto Hernando, Manuel Merillas and Oihana Kortazar, have also been crowned at the Canfranc finish line. As have two foreign World Champions the USA Grayson Murphy in the Classic 16km and the British Charlotte Morgan in the Marathon.
The women’s race will be even more demanding, with the leader of the WMRA world ranking, the Kenyan Joyce Njeru as the favorite against the French Mathilde Sagnes (European bronze 2022 and silver OCC 2021 Chamonix) the Italian Camilla Magliano (Bronze Nid d’Aigles 2022, 4th Stellina Challenge 2022). Without forgetting the Spanish national team members Nuria Gil (European silver 2022) and Julia Font (Spanish Marathon Champion 2022) who will fight for the title to stay in Spain.
Andy, pictured in Monaco in 2019 with fellow members of the WMRA Council, was the manager of the Polish national team manager for many years, starting in 1994, and was involved in bringing many international competitions to Poland, including Masters, European and World Championships.
We are now only two months away from our first 
Written by Richard Bolt for the WMRA. Photos by Richard Bolt.
Also running the short course, James Patterson (GBR) took gold in the M75 age group in 58:12. Adolfo Accaliai (ITA) led an Italian podium sweep of the M70 age group in 48:49. The first Irish men’s gold medal of the day went to Martin McDonald (IRL) in the M65 class in 48:27. Franco Torresani (ITA) won the M60 class in 42:09. Over 60 runners finished the M55 men’s race but it was Tom Tipping (GBR) who bested them all in 44:17.
There was tight competition in the teams competition with GBR taking gold in the M75 and F75 age groups. GBR also won W70 but was bested in the M70 by an Italian sweep the podium for a 6 point gold team medal. In the W65 and M65 Ireland took team gold medals by getting all their runners in the top 7 places. In the W60 and M60 the home team had to settle for silver as GBR took gold medals in both categories. The W55 and M55 saw a similar outcome albeit with closer scores. GBR took team gold over Ireland by less than 4 points in both 55-59 year old age groups. The 50-54 year old age groups were split with GBR taking gold over Ireland in M50 while Ireland bested GBR in the W50 category. Ireland won the W45 team gold with a podium sweep led by Becky Quinn. Meanwhile the M45 team gold was also won in a podium sweep but this time GBR came out on top. From there down, it was all team Ireland as they took gold in W40 (17 points), M40 (12 points), W35 (6 points) and M35 (11 points).
Written by María Ávila for WMRA.
The lead changed with the arrival of kilometer 14 where Andrea Mayr had taken the lead despite stumbling on a rock. Njeru arrived to this same point more than one minute after the Austrian and Madalina was close behind her still fighting for a place on the podium. At the high point the result seemed confirmed; however there was a new surprise by the time runners crossed the finish line, Madalina Florea had dropped back while in her place Lauren Gregory from United States claimed the third position.
At the middle point of the track, the Africans already dominated with the two Kenyan´s along with Eritrean Petro Mamu. The results seemed clearer at the highest point of the race where the Run2gether pair were leading with a gap of at least one minute over Mamu. Further on, during the last downhill section the result was confirmed where once again, Patrick Kipnego descended strongly and arrived in first place along with another record time of 1h30’46” following up from his record the day before. Only 54 seconds after him, Kiriago was the second runner over the finish line while until the next to arrive was Petro Shaku Mamu.
Written by María Ávila for WMRA.
On the male side, the race was shoulder to shoulder between Patrick Kipnego and Zak Hanna. At the last ramp, Kipnego pushed harder, arriving first and breaking a record that already seemed unbeatable since it was recorded in 2019. The Kenyan runner registered a time of 33’47”, which leaves the previous 35’17” mark behind. 
A rugby player until his mid 20s, Adrian made the move into running following a bet with his uncle, who told him that the 16 mile race from Llanbedr to Blaenafon would be harder than rugby. The sport took Adrian all over the world, from Borneo to Alaska to Reunion Island. In spite of all this globe trotting, his favourite race remained the Snowdon International in his native Wales, “Probably my favourite race and also the one I also hated the most. It is one of the toughest and most demanding races I have ever taken part in.”
While Ireland has had strong representation at World Mountain Running Association (WMRA) events for several decades, this will be the first time this unique world championships for athletes ages 35 to 79 has been held on the emerald island. As veterans of past world masters, it was the dream of race directors, Limerick based Tom and Tricha Blackburn, to bring the event to Ireland. On September 3rd their dream will be realized on the foothills of the Comeragh Mountains.
“I look forward too drinking a pint of Guinness after the race, taking in the excitement and buzz of a World competition and to see how I compete on a world stage.” – Steve Brightman (United States) M50
“We hope that the athletes, families and friends traveling here from all over the world have a happy and memorable experience of our mountains, our culture and of the Irish people. We look forward to spending these few days together competing for our countries and celebrating our achievements creating great memories and friendships. Wishing you all the very best of luck.” – Laura Flynn (Irish Mountain Running Association) and Tricha Blackburn (Race Director)
Vertical Nasego and 
The next day, there will be a new challenge awaiting. On Sunday, the 21st edition of Trofeo Nasego will mark the long mountain specialty. The course of this race will cover 21.5 km, mainly between foothills paths accumulating a total ascent of 1336 meters. The athletes will face rugged ascends around the Sabia Valley. The route will start in Casto and go through undulated trails until the arrival.
Also racing are Andrea Mayr, 1st and 2nd last year, 2020 Trofeo Nasego champion Sarah McCormack, and Madalina Florea, 3rd at Giir di Mont Uphill.