The latest stages of the 2025 WMRA Mountain Running World Cup unfolded dramatically at the Vauban Mountain and Trail this weekend (19-20) where Richard Omaya Atuya and Michael Selelo Saoli led the Kenyan dominance of the men’s races, while French duo Christel Dewalle and Nélie Clément took the women’s titles.
Known as the highest city in France and a Unesco World Heritage Site, Briançon provided a stunning yet brutal backdrop for the 5.9km uphill race on Saturday (19) and the ‘Grand Parcours’ 14km classic race on Sunday (20).
Atuya and Dwealle dominate
In the men’s uphill race, Kenyan trio Philemon Kiriago, Josphat Kiprotich, and Richard Omaya Atuya took a convincing early lead, passing the halfway point together. Britain’s Jacob Adkin and Italy’s Andrea Elia led the chase pack.
In the final two kilometres, Kiriago lost ground while Adkin surged forward to move into third position. Atuya, however, was unstoppable, breaking away to claim victory in 40:40, followed by Kiprotich (41:44) and Adkin (41:53).
In a race which doubled as a selection trial for French athletes for the 2025 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Canfranc, local favourite Christel Dewalle was keen to put in a strong performance in the women’s event.
After an early break by Kenyan duo Gloria Chebet and Philaries Jeruto Kisang, Dewalle took control on the steepest sections and went on to claim a commanding victory in 48:40, booking her place in Canfranc and securing maximum World Cup points.
Britain’s Scout Adkin was second in 49:27, with Nélie Clément taking third (50:06).
Leading results
Women
1 Christel Dewalle (FRA) 48:40
2 Scout Adkin (GBR) 49:27
3 Nélie Clément (FRA) 50:06
4 Gloria Chebet (KEN) 51:19
5 Philaries Jeruto Kisang (KEN) 51:30
Men
1 Richard Omaya Atuya (KEN) 40:40
2 Josphat Kiprotich (KEN) 41:44
3 Jacob Adkin (GBR) 41:53
4 Paul Machoka (KEN) 42:23
5 Emmanuel Meyssat (FRA) 42:26
Kenya sweeps men’s podium, Clément makes breakthrough
The second day of racing in Briançon brought athletes back to the heart of the Hautes-Alpes for a classic-format 14km race that once again combined brutal climbing with the breath-taking charm of France’s highest city. With 994m of elevation gain, the course twisted through ancient military paths, forested ridgelines, and centuries-old fortifications.
Kenyan athletes stamped their authority on the men’s race from the outset, surging ahead on the first climb and never looking back. Michael Selelo Saoli led the charge and took a commanding victory in 1:04:52, followed closely by Philemon Ombogo Kiriago in 1:05:21, and Ephantus Mwangi Njeri in 1:05:31.
Atuya, winner of the uphill race one day prior, finished fourth (1:06:02), while European champion Theodore Klein of France rounded out the top five (1:06:39).
If the men’s race was defined by Kenyan dominance, the women’s race belonged to Nélie Clément. Just 24 hours after finishing third in the uphill, the French runner took a surprising but emphatic victory in 1:15:58.
She finished more than a minute ahead of Kenyan duo Joyce Muthoni Njeru (1:17:11) and Valentine Jepkoech Rutto (1:17:20), who arrived at the final descent together. Gloria Chebet (1:17:38) and Scout Adkin (1:19:34) rounded out the top five.
Leading results
Women
1 Nélie Clément (FRA) 1:15:58
2 Joyce Muthoni Njeru (KEN) 1:17:11
3 Valentine Jepkoech Rutto (KEN) 1:17:20
4 Gloria Chebet (KEN) 1:17:38
5 Scout Adkin (GBR) 1:19:34
Men
1 Michael Selelo Saoli (KEN) 1:04:52
2 Philemon Ombogo Kiriago (KEN) 1:05:21
3 Ephantus Mwangi Njeri (KEN) 1:05:31
4 Richard Omaya Atuya (KEN) 1:06:02
5 Theodore Klein (FRA) 1:06:39
Hector Rubio (WMRA) for World Athletics