EN
One of the World Cup’s long mountain races at 31km with 2200m of elevation and 1100m of descent, it is known as ‘la course des cinq 4000’ as runners get to enjoy views of five peaks above 4000m along the way – Weisshorn (4506m), Zinalrothorn (4221m), Obergabelhorn (4073m), Matterhorn (4478m) and Dent Blanche (4357m).
The race route includes steep climbing, technical singletrack, fast and wide paths, alpine meadows and a final frantic 7km downhill to the finish.
This year’s line-up includes a total of 23 men who have run the course in sub-2:40 and 11 women who have dipped under 3:10. There are 15 men from last year’s top 20 and seven of last year’s top 10 women.
Four former winners will toe the start line. Kenya’s 2023 winner Kiriago and defending champion Chepngeno will be joined by Spain’s 2022 champion Andreu Blanes and Switzerland’s multiple winner Maude Mathys. Former Sierre-Zinal podium placers returning this year include Patrick Kipngeno, who was second in 2022 and 2023 and third in 2024, as well as 2023 runner-up Joyce Muthoni Njeru, 2023 third-place finisher Philaries Kisang and Madalina Florea, who was third last year.
But Sierre-Zinal rarely follows the script. Other athletes striving to make the podium in one of the event’s deepest ever fields include Elhousine Elazzaoui, Christian Allen, Sylvain Cachard, Roberto Delorenzi, Leonard Chemutai and Francesco Puppi.
In the women’s race, Anna Gibson is in strong form following a double podium at Broken Arrow, while Yao Miao was fourth here in 2023 and comes off a recent win at the Val d’Aran 50k. They will be joined by Katie Schide, Philaries Jeruto Kisang, Oria Liaci, Alice Gaggi and Lauren Gregory.
In terms of the World Cup competition, women’s leader Scout Adkin is not in action, but men’s leader Paul Machoka will want to maintain his momentum. Kiriago will be looking to gain some important points to close the gap, as will Michael Selelo Saoli and Andrea Rostan. Kevin Kibet, Alberto Vender and Henri Aymonod will also be fighting for their places in the top 10. Valentine Jepkoech Rutto could close the gap to Adkin, as could Muthoni Njeru. Kisang could also earn enough points here to overtake Gloria Chebet and break into the top three of the World Cup competition.
This could be the race that decides the World Cup, with just two more stages to go at the end of this month.
Kirsty Reade – (WMRA)
