Joyce Njeru and Elazaoui Win Event World Cup in California on Sunday
Broken Arrow Weekend always offers dramatic races, but 2025 delivered more drama than usual. After an ascent race affected by the strong winds on Friday, an unexpected snowstorm crossed the valley on Saturday, resulted in the 46 km races to stop halfway for many of the
Runners Then, with a certain relief, the conditions stabilized enough for the 23 km skyRace to continue as planned on Sunday.
The weather was perfect for the race, with blue skies and cold temperatures, but the residual snow on the ground was a reminder that things looked very different in Palisades Tahoe the day before. Many of the athletes had run the promotion on Friday, so it would be interesting to see if Whoy, who focused on a race, would have a little more in the tank when it is difficult.
Starting in the city and leaving a wide path, the first part of the race is the most executable. During the first 6 km, runners amount slowly on a good path, before the course reaches a SingerTrack and begins to lift the forest. The first big climb takes the runners to Snow King, the First Aid Station, then the second Summit of KT22. After that, there is a respite with a little descent and a uphill higher, but then the hard work by a brutal climb, which involves exhibited rock, a staircase and some steps before the runners finally reach the highest point of the. But runners cannot remove the foot from the gas during the long descent. It is mainly very fast but technical in sections, with a high level of concentration necessary. In addition to a brief but acute upload of Shirley Canyon, it is almost everything downhill in the second half of the races, which leads to some very fast miles and exciting careers.
23 km Skyrace – Women
The women began 20 minutes ahead of men and, as expected, it was a quick start. They were a couple of kilometers for the main group to emerge and was the defender Joyce Njeru (Nnormal), Madalina Florea (Scott), Lauren Gregory (Nike), Anna Gibson (Brooks), Jade Belzberg (The Trail) and Hilton. In the early stages, Allie McLaughlin (Hoka) and Sydney Petersen also contacted, a little behind.
When this group reached the single, and break more and Njeru led, with Florerate right on their heels, Gregory and Gibson formed the main group. When they hit Snow King about 8 km from Njeru and Florea, he opened a 30 -second gap in Gibson and Gregory, with Marie Nivet and Gaggi they simply attributed them.
This pattern continued in the long ascent, and more it seemed that Njeru or Florea would be in the upper pass of the podium. Florea’s escalation was relentless, barely broke on a power walk, but it seemed that everything would be decided by the descent. By Siberia Aid Station Gibson was a minute ago. Could you catch them?
They really attacked the descent and also looked how the course record (Sophia Laukli 2:06:18) was definitely threatened. Njeru opened a space of a few seconds in Florea, but then Gibson began to close the gap and appeared behind them. Gregory remained about two minutes. Everything was going to go down to the descent ability of the runners.
Njeru continued to stretch the gap little by little and, although Florea was only about 30 seconds, it was unlikely that Njeru could be caught. She entered Palisades Tahoe to win and defend her title, destroying the course record in the process with a time of 2:01:16. Florea arrived second at 2:02:03 and Gibson Third at 2:03:46. The three runners beat the previous course of the course, only demonstrating the competitive level of the race this year. Gregory was fourth and Gaggi Quinto, in times they would generally win.
23 km Skyrace – men
The men also began incredible quickly and it was not a surprise to see the winner of Friday’s rise, Christian Allen (Nike), leading the runners in a characteristically aggressive way. Philemon Kiriago (Run2Gether) led the persecution and the young German Lukas Ehrle (Asics) surprised some banks also in this group. Would this be an innovative performance for him? They were also present in the Elhousine Elazzaoui (Nnormal), Cam Smith (Dynitfit) persecution group, who ended third in the
Ascent, defending champion Patrick Kipngeno (Run2gher), Taylor Stack (Brooks) and Andy Wacker (the path of the path). Also in content was the young American talent Mason Coppi.
It happened long before the furious early rhythm led a separatist group directed by all and Kiriago, with Elazaoui, Ehrle and Kipngen just behind. This was the order when they reached Snow King, with Coppi and Stack 50 seconds behind this main group. But when they reached KT22 Kipngeno he had stamped his authority in the climb and now led with his teammate Kiriago and Elazaoui. Allen was now 16 seconds behind them, with ehrle just for him.
This leadership remained intact in Siberia, with a gap or 30 seconds now for everyone and ehrle. But, with the long descent, this was the timonero of Elazzazoooui. But he bought his time and saw that lead changed his hands between Kiriago and Kipngen, with Elazaoui site sinisterly on his shoulders. At this point, Allen’s leg speed (it is a 2:10 marathon corridor) it really launched and before it was updated. With a couple of kilometers for the end I could have any of these five best that they win.
It was not a surprise when Elazaui finally made his movement and would not catch him, winning in a record of 1:43:53, although Kiriago pursued him in an exciting final of Sprint and Tok second in 1.43.57. Kipngen completed the male podium (with the three exceeding the record of the previous course) in 1.44.11. Allen was fourth in 1.44.46 and Ehrle Fifth in 1.45.19, in what was a top five incredibly close men.
Next, the World Cup is going to China for the first time for Chongli Mountain and Trail
Execution Festival from July 5 to 6.