Team USA staff member and ATRA social media director Andy Wacker was on site at Challenge Stellina in Susa, Italy on August 27, 2023, and provided this report from the event.
Rain started to fall as athletes warmed up for the 35th edition of Challenge Stellina, a storied mountain race through the Alps in Susa, Italy. This year, the classic eight-mile course was shortened to four miles and 2,800 vertical feet due to thunderstorms and torrential rain in the forecast.
The historic race commemorates lives lost by the Italian resistance and others in a battle fought on the mountainside above the city on August 26, 1944. Today runners from around the world come together in peace to celebrate through sport.
Elite Runners from ten countries were present including 2023 Vertical Mountain Running World Champion, Andrea Mayr, Kenyan standout and 2023 Sierre Zinal 2nd place finisher Joyce Njeru, and 2023 Sierre Zinal 4th place, Sylvain Cachard.
Team USA included Anna Gibson, Janelle Lincks, Christian Allen, and Joseph DeMoor. Men’s and women’s team scoring was by accumulated finish time for the top two runners from each country.
Men’s race
The race started under the arch of Augustus, a white marble Roman relic dating from the 1st century BC. As the rain poured down, locals watched the course under umbrellas, hiding under eaves cheering on the racers.
Christian Allen took the race out hard, blazing through the narrow alleyways, past a castle and on cobblestone streets as a marching band played. He went through the first mile in the lead clocking 4:37.
Allen was caught by a pack of runners as the course became a steep, rocky single-track trail, but kept in the mix jockeying for a top-three finish. He maintained his position through the mud and accumulating rain, finishing in a close second place behind British runner, Joe Steward. In third was Sylvain Cachard (France).
Joseph DeMoor ran a strong race finishing in 6th position and sealing team gold for USA.
Challenge Stellina men’s podium. Photo: Dylan Harris
DeMoor represented the USA for the third time in international competition. He shared, “The team title was special. That’s what I’m pursuing with being on these teams, to be part of something bigger than myself. That’s the deeper meaning behind events like this and the sport in general”.
Allen explained how it felt to take team gold on his first USA team. “It was sick. You wouldn’t want to have it any other way! It was great to be up there with Joe and to hear the national anthem playing.”
Women’s race
The US women also started off strong as the downhill start suited their strengths. Unfortunately, just past the first mile, Lincks had to withdraw from the race due to a pre-existing injury.
Gibson competed well against the world class field finishing third behind winner Andrea Mayr (Austria), and second place Scout Adkin (Great Britain).
When asked about the course, Gibson responded, “I love a good VK, and that’s basically what this was. It was a quick run through town, and then a little under a VK of climbing uphill. I was excited for it.
“The weather was pretty intense as well. It was pouring rain pretty much the entire race and it got a bit cold up top when the wind came.”
In response to the harsh, wet conditions, Gibson remarked, “It was honestly super fun. I think that’s what’s awesome about mountain running, you never quite know what types of conditions [you will get] or what the trail will look like. It makes you think on your feet and be super flexible.”
Gibson commented about taking an individual podium in her first time wearing the USA jersey, “I’m really excited about it. It was super fun today. It feels a bit different to represent the United States in my first international competition. It was really cool getting on the line with my teammates, especially given the co-ed format.”
Challenge Stellina women’s podium. Photo: Dylan Harris
Challenge Stellina results
Men
1. Joe Steward (GBR) 34:33
2. Christian Allen (USA) 34:47
3. Sylvain Chachard (FRA) 35:02
6. Joseph Demoor (USA) 36:01
Women
1. Andrea Mayr AUT) 40:17
2. Scout Adkin (GBR) 40:45
3. Anna Gibson (USA) 41:14
Janelle Lincks (USA) DNF
See full results here.
