The 2024 World Mountain Running Cup champion, Patrick Kipng’eno, has confirmed his participation in the highly anticipated Longonot Trail Challenge, scheduled for November 16 in Naivasha.
This prestigious race, the only World Mountain Running ranked event in Kenya, promises to be a thrilling battle as Kipng’eno leads Kenya’s charge on home soil.
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Patrick Kipng’eno, who recently retained his men’s title at the Valsir Mountain Running World Cup in Italy, will be the athlete to watch in the upcoming Longonot race.
As one of Kenya’s most decorated mountain runners, Kipng’eno has become a symbol of the nation’s dominance in the sport.
However, he won’t have it easy—Philemon Kiriago, who placed third in the World Cup, will pose a formidable challenge. The two athletes are expected to go head-to-head in a high-octane race through the picturesque, yet grueling, terrain of Longonot National Park.
The Longonot Trail Challenge is no ordinary race. Set against the backdrop of the stunning Mount Longonot, the event covers an 11.5 km course with 750 meters of both uphill and downhill routes.
This challenging race will test the endurance and skill of every participant, making it one of the most exciting mountain running events on the Kenyan athletics calendar.
Top Athletes Set to Compete
Alongside Kipng’eno and Kiriago, a host of other top athletes are expected to compete in the Longonot Trail Challenge.
Among them are Josephat Kiprotich, Paul Machoka, and Richard Atuya, all of whom finished in the top 10 during the recently concluded World Mountain Running Cup. These athletes have proven themselves on the global stage, and their participation will add extra intensity to the event.
On the women’s side, Kenya’s top mountain runners will also be well represented. Joyce Njeru, the 2024 World Mountain Running Cup runner-up, and Jeruto Kisang, who finished third, are among the key athletes set to take on the Longonot Challenge.
Njeru narrowly missed out on the World Cup title, which was won by Britain’s Scot Adkins, but she remains a fierce competitor and will be looking to reclaim her spot at the top.
Additionally, Gloria Chebet, who finished seventh in the World Cup, is expected to feature in the race, making the women’s competition just as intense as the men’s.
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The Significance of the Longonot Trail Challenge
The Longonot Trail Challenge holds significant importance not only for the athletes but also for Kenyan athletics as a whole.
The event will serve as a selection race for Kenya’s team to compete at the 2025 World Mountain Running Championships in Canfranc-Pirineos, Spain. As such, the stakes are high for all participants, as a strong performance could earn them a spot on the national team.
Athletics Kenya (AK) Mountain Running Committee Secretary and the event’s CEO, John Kimetto, is optimistic about the success of the event. “We expect over 1,000 elite athletes and fun runners to grace the event. It’s the only World Mountain Running ranked race in the country, and we are working hard to ensure it is a memorable experience for all participants,” Kimetto said.
The event is being organized in partnership with Run2gether, and the prize money reflects the importance of the race.
Winners will receive Sh200,000, while second and third-placed athletes will take home Sh100,000 and Sh75,000, respectively. There will also be cash awards for the top 10 finishers, ensuring that there is plenty of incentive for athletes to push their limits.
Registration and Participation Details
For local participants, the registration fee is Sh500, while international athletes will pay Sh7,000. This fee for foreigners includes the entry fee to Longonot National Park, making the race a unique blend of sport and nature. Registration is ongoing at the Run2gether Longonot Camp, Naivasha subcounty sports office, and Longonot Park Gate.
The popularity of mountain running has grown exponentially in Kenya in recent years, thanks in large part to the success of athletes like Kipng’eno and Njeru. Their performances on the global stage have inspired many up-and-coming runners to take up the sport, and the Longonot Trail Challenge is expected to attract a wide range of participants, from elite athletes to amateur runners.
A Growing Sport with Tremendous Potential
Mountain running may still be a relatively niche sport compared to track and marathon running, but its appeal is growing rapidly in Kenya. The Longonot Trail Challenge is proof of that, and with the event now part of the World Mountain Running Association calendar, its international profile is set to rise even further.
“We are expecting several international runners because this event is now on the World Mountain Running Association calendar following an application by Athletics Kenya. We are looking for sponsors to partner with to make the event a huge success,” said Kimetto. This inclusion on the global calendar is a major boost for Kenyan mountain running and will help attract more international attention to the country’s athletes and races.
As Kenya continues to dominate in mountain running events across the world, the future looks bright for the sport. With world-class athletes like Kipng’eno, Njeru, and Kiriago leading the charge, Kenya’s presence on the global mountain running scene is only set to grow stronger.
