Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
Kenyan athletes Michael Selelo Saoli and Joyce Muthoni Njeru claimed victories in the classic races at the Beijing Changping Classic, part of the World Mountain Running Association (WMRA) World Cup. The event took place on the Great Wall, featuring demanding climbs and technical descents across varied terrain.
In the men’s classic 18km race, which included 1,200m of climbing, Saoli led the front group in the early stages and extended his advantage on the climbs and descents to finish in 1:25:49. Isacco Costa of Italy placed second in 1:28:00, followed by Kenya’s Paul Machoka in 1:28:58.
In the women’s classic race, global champion Joyce Njeru established a strong lead to finish first in 1:45:02. Courtney Barnes Coppinger of the USA finished second in 1:46:49, while Switzerland’s Maude Mathys was third in 1:47:16. Both Saoli and Njeru excelled on the uphill and mixed terrain courses.
Saturday’s competition featured a short, steep uphill race of 3.5km with 509m ascent. Isacco Costa won the men’s uphill in 22:31, with Paul Machoka and Alex Baldaccini second and third. Michael Saoli finished fifth. In the women’s uphill race, Maude Mathys won in 26:13, with Njeru second and Coppinger third.
The WMRA Mountain Running World Cup continues at Transvulcania, Spain, featuring both uphill and long-distance races on volcanic trails.