Njeru targets fourth World Mountain And Trail Running title in Spain

Triple World Mountain Running champion Joyce Njeru is targeting her fourth title in this year’s World and Trail Running Championships in Spain.

Njeru will start her season with the Magical Kenya Tinderet Mountain Running 15-km race scheduled for this Saturday in Nandi County.

In Tinderet, she will be eyeing one of the top two slots to earn her a place in the provisional team of Team Kenya.

The top two runners in each event will be named in the national provisional squad for the third edition of the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships (WMTRC) which will take place in Canfranc-Pirineos, Spain, September 25-28, 2025.

“My target is to defend the world title and also reclaim the World Mountain Running World Cup crown which I lost to Scout Adkin. I also want to do well in road races. I have been preparing for the busy season ahead of the cross-country races so that I can improve my speed,” she said.

She will face stiff competition from arch-rival Philaries Kisang and Gloria Chebet. Longonot Trail running winners Ruth Gitonga and Joyline Chepng’eno have also registered for the race. In the men’s category, double world champion Philemon Kiriago says he is targeting a top-three finish in Tinderet.

“We have had good preparations here in Longonot. My aim is to finish on the podium in Tinderet. I know the terrain well having participated in the past three editions,” said Kiriago.

Multiple world champion Patrick Kipng’eno is tipped as favourite in the field which will also have Timothy Kibet who won the Longonot Mountain Trail, Saoli Selelo who came second and third-placed Ephanthus Njeru.

Top 10 ranked athletes in the world currently Josephat Kiprotich, Richard Atuya and Paul Machoka are also in the mix.

Winners in the senior men’s and women’s categories will take home Sh500,000 and a heifer.

Top 50 athletes will also get awards. Athletics Kenya (AK) Mountain Running coordinator Peter Angwenyi said 1, 500 had registered by Wednesday last week.

“We have had a record number of entries so far. We expect more athletes to register before the deadline on Friday,” said Angwenyi.

The Tinderet Barngetuny Mountain Run is the first of a six-part series organised by AK in partnership with the Kenya Tourism Board.

The second race of the series— Nyamira Great Run— will be held on May 1 while the third event—Mt Kenya Mountain Run Edition— is scheduled for June 24.

The Aberdares Trail Run edition on August 24 will be the fourth leg and will be followed by Mt. Longonot (November 16 )and Mt. Elgon Mountain (December 7 ).