Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
Romania’s Madalina Florea won the women’s race at the 31km Sierre-Zinal mountain race in Switzerland in 2:55:44, earning her first victory at the event after a third-place finish in 2024. Her decisive move came on the descent. Defending champion Caroline Jepkoech Kimutai finished second in 2:56:30, and Britain’s Morven Goodrum was third in 2:57:12, an impressive debut.
In the men’s race, Kenya’s Philemon Ombogo Kiriago claimed his third Sierre-Zinal title with a time of 2:26:24, after a close contest with compatriot Patrick Kipngeno. Kiriago broke away during the final descent to finish 32 seconds ahead. Michael Selelo Saoli of Kenya took third in 2:29:36.
The course climbs from 560 metres in Sierre to a high point of 2,424 metres over the first 24km, followed by a 7km descent to Zinal, significantly impacting race outcomes. In the women’s race, early leaders were Kimutai and Goodrum, followed by Florea, Kirsty Skye Dickson (Britain), and Nienke Brinkman (Netherlands). Lead groups shifted on the climb and descent, with Florea establishing her lead in the final kilometres.
In the men’s race, early leaders included Kipngeno, Kiriago, Britain’s Jacob Adkin, and others. The race featured position changes and strategic moves during the climb and descent, culminating in Kiriago’s winning effort on the final descent.