Joyce Muthoni, who leads the mountain running World Cup standings, is set to battle it out against fellow Kenyan Lucy Murigi at the Valsir Mountain Running World Cup over the weekend in Canfranc-Estación, Spain.
The vertical uphill race takes place on Friday evening. The course of the run is set to be at least 4km.
Muthoni won both races she competed in last year in Spain. This season, she has won the Fletta Trail (Italy) and La Montee du Nid d’Aigle (France) and will be looking to retain her crown in Spain.
She will face stiff competition from Murigi who has consistently placed in the top 10 in all her outings this year.
Italy’s Camilla Magliano who finished fourth in the vertical race and second in the classic race last year will also be a fierce competitor.
They will all be pushed by Belgium’s Charlotte Cotton, who finished in the top 10 in both races here last year, as well as Spanish duo Anna Guirado and Bel Calero.
The 16km classic mountain race takes place on Sunday and it will have a more rugged terrain and takes 1600m of ascent along the way.
Many of the athletes from the vertical uphill race will double up at the longer distance on Sunday, trying to make the most of the rest day in between.
Spain’s Daniel Osanz is the men’s defending champion for the vertical race.
His compatriot Raul Criado, who was third in the long race last year and sixth in the vertical race, will be a tough competitor.
