The following article from the World Mountain Running Association features Valsir Mountain Running World Cup uphill final at Gran Canaria, Spain on Friday, October 13. Feature photo credit to Marco Gulberti.
Adjusting at pace is the key to successful mountain running as conditions, terrain – and as it turned out, even distances – can change in the blink of an eye.
New course
A weather alert was issued for the heat and possibility of forest fires. And this meant the 6km uphill race at the Sky Gran Canaria Finalissima of the Valsir Mountain Running World Cup – traditionally the opening event on this action-packed weekend – was reduced to 4km on a significantly altered route. Not only was the race shorter, it also didn’t climb above 400m as a result of the restrictions.
The course featured a fast opening kilometer as competitors eased out of the coastal village of Agaete, and climbed steadily before the tough final ascent to Lomo del Manco on the volcanic rock paths the Canary Islands are so well known for.
The route would be a test of the highest order for the field combining speed, strength, endurance, and technical skills to discover the best mountain runner in the world. The uphill would be the perfect scene setter for a weekend full of drama and excitement.
The race unfolds
In the brutally hot conditions (36 degrees Celsius at the start) it was Great Britain’s Joe Steward who quickly made the best of a tough situation for the organizers and world’s best athletes alike as he raced to victory in the Sky A4Uphill event timed in 17:42.
Steward was a top-10 finisher, placing eighth at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Innsbruck in June, and more recently posted a win at Italy’s Challenge Stellina in August and Canfranc in September. So, in top condition, Steward lined up as the man to beat and he delivered.
Just 11 seconds back was second-place finisher Patrick Kipngeno (KEN). Rounding out the top three was USA’s Christian Allen timed in 18 minutes. Fellow countryman Liam Meirow posted a seventh place finish with a time of 18:56.
Christian Allen (USA) on course heading to a bronze medal finish at Sky Gran Canaria Uphill. Photo: Marco Gulberti
The women’s race was equally exciting as Scotland’s Scout Adkin once again demonstrated the superb form she is currently enjoying after a win in Portugal in early July at Montemuro vertical run.
Looking incredibly strong on the technical section going into the final climb, it would clearly take something special to beat the Scot, bronze medallist in last year’s European Off-road running champs on neighboring island of La Palma.
Adkin was an early starter in the race that spanned 40 minutes from the first gun to the final athlete in the time trial-style competition with one athlete starting every 30 seconds. Adkin had to watch as the field tried – and failed – to match her 21:17 finish time.
Second to the line for women was Susanna Saapunki (FIN) with a time of 21:30, followed by third place finisher Joyce Muthoni Njeru in 22:12. Complete results can be found here.
Top three women at Sky Gran Canaria Uphill. Photo: Marco Gulberti
Recognizing the LOC
The WMRA thanks the superb team from Sky Gran Canaria organizing the races. The days leading up to the event were incredibly tense as the possibilities of forest fires became increasingly likely. Acting quickly and decisively, the teams came up with safe, alternative routes that still provided suitably testing conditions for the athletes, but have met the criteria issued by local authorities to ensure any risk of fire was kept to an absolute minimum.
Vista at Sky Gran Canaria. Photo: Marco Gulberti
Upcoming schedule at Gran Canaria
Saturday, October 14 at 8.00 UTC+1: long distance race
Sunday, October, 15 at 08.30 UTC+1: classic race
Follow along with the WMRA on Instagram and Facebook.
