GOLDEN TRAIL WORLD SERIES 2024 KOBE TRAIL GOLD MATHYS AND KIPNGENO

Posted by Corriendo la Vida on April 20, 2024 in golden trail world series 2024, gtws, gtws23, gtws24, marathon mont blanc 2024, sierre zinal 2024, trail running spain, zegama aizkorri 2024 | Leave a comment

GOLDEN TRAIL WORLD SERIES 2024 KOBE TRAIL GOLD MATHYS AND KIPNGENO. Our GOLDEN TRAIL SERIES section brings to us the results of the race held today in Japan.

Patrick Kipngeno and Maude Mathys win the Kobe Trail, the GTWS 2024 first stage. A winning comeback for Maude and unexpected victory for Patrick.

Photo Golden Trail World Series – Justin Galant

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GOLDEN TRAIL WORLD SERIES 2024 (20 APR):

KOBE TRAIL FIRST TIME IN JAPAN

Male reace

Patrick Kipngeno (KEN – Run2gether) defied expectations to win the opening stage of the 2024 Golden Trail World Series at the Kobe Trail in Japan. Despite pre-race predictions suggesting the technical course might not suit him, Kipngeno stormed to a dominant first-place finish.

Joey Hadorn (CHE – Salomon) led for a significant portion of the race before ultimately being overtaken by Kipngeno. However, Hadorn found solace in securing his first-ever GTWS podium finish with a strong second-place showing.

Elhousine Elazzaoui (MAR – Nnormal) initially appeared to be in contention for the win but suffered a significant fall during the third loop. Despite the setback, the Moroccan dug deep and battled through the pain to secure his first podium of the season.

Photo Golden Trail World Series – Colino Livero

“The competition was high-level today, and the race was very tough, but I’m really happy to have won.”  Kipngeno said after his win. “It wasn’t until kilometre 16 that I realised that victory was possible because the downhills were very tough, and they were running very fast in the front. But I stuck to my strategy, and it worked!”

“My strategy was to stay calm and take stock after the downhill on the second loop.” explained Hadorn. “I think I was 5th or 6th at that point, then suddenly I was leading the climb. I wondered if the others had had a problem, but I refocused and stayed calm. I really didn’t expect to finish 2nd today and I’m really pleased and thrilled I did.”

“I was doing well on the first two loops, everything was under control,” Elazzaoui explains, “But in the third loop I slipped and fell hard on my back. I really hurt myself and straight away realised that something wasn’t right because my legs weren’t responding at all. I stopped and then started off again. I hung in there for the podium. I’m still happy, even if I feel like things could’ve been different without the fall!”

Photo Golden Trail World Series – Colino Livero

female race

Maude Mathys (CHE – Asics) defied her own expectations with a dominant victory at the first stage of the 2024 Golden Trail World Series. Fresh off Achilles tendon surgery, Mathys admitted pre-race that a top-5 finish would be a success. However, the two-time series champion (2020, 2021) showcased her fighting spirit and strategic prowess to claim the win at the Kobe Trail. Mathys capitalized on a strategic move in the third loop, catching Joyce and establishing a decisive lead.

Sara Alonso (ESP – Asics) also impressed with a strong second-place finish, marking her return to top form. Theres Leboeuf (CHE – Compressport) rounded out the podium, securing a third-place finish to start the season strong.

Photo Golden Trail World Series – Colino Livero

“My strategy was to set off quite cautiously so I wouldn’t blow up too early, then gradually increase the pace in the uphill while trying not to lose too much in the downhill.” Mathys said “I think I’m a terrible downhiller, but I can’t be as bad as all that because no one caught up with me! Then I saw Joyce in the third loop and I quickly caught up with her and then opened up a gap. I tried to stay focused right up to the finish line and I’m thrilled with this victory.”

“I’m so happy! I knew I was in good shape but honestly, when I saw the list of runners, I thought I’d be happy to finish in the top 5” Alonso admitted, “Then Sophia pulled out and Grayson didn’t come, and then I started dreaming of a podium finish. But to finish 2nd here on the first stage is just impossible to describe!”

Leboeuf said: “I’m so happy with this podium because my brother’s wife is Japanese and her mother came all the way from Tokyo to see me, so I had my own fans here. I know this type of race suits me, with its series of downhills and climbs, so I could really make the most of it, even if 2nd place wasn’t far off, I really am thrilled with this 3rd podium spot.”

Photo Golden Trail World Series – Colino Livero

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GOLDEN TRAIL WORLD SERIES 2024

The RACE

A race that connects the mountains and the city. It is an urban trail running set in the Rokko Mountains. The race venue was set at Mount Maya Kikuseidai, an observatory famous for having one of the three best night views in Japan.

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GTWS 2024: CALENDAR

• 20th April: Kobe Trail – Women’s race – 21km/1,615m V+ – Kobe, Japan. ➜TV News + Asia Trip (Japan + China) 23’ Highlights on TV
• 21st April: Kobe Trail – Men’s race – 21km/1,615m V+ – Kobe, Japan. ➜ TV News + Asia Trip (Japan + China) 23’ Highlights on TV
• 27th April: Four Girls Mountain Trail – 21km/1,423 m V+ – Sichuan, China.➜ TV News + Asia Trip (Japan + China) 23’ Highlights on TV
• 26th May: Zegama-Aizkorri – 42km/2,736 m V+ – Zegama, Spain.➜ TV News + 23’ Highlights on TV + LIVE YOUTUBE
• 30th June: Marathon du Mont-Blanc – 42km/2,540 m V+ – Chamonix, France.➜ TV News + LIVE TV (Eurosport + TV channels in over 100 countries)
• 10th August: Sierre-Zinal – 31km/2,200 m V+ – Sierre, Switzerland.➜ TV News + 23’ Highlights on TV + LIVE YOUTUBE
• 17th August: Tatra Sky Marathon – 28km/1,770 m V+ – Kościelisko, Poland. TV News + LIVE TV (Eurosport + TV channels in over 100 countries)
• 14th September: Headlands – Women’s race – 28km/1,304 m V+ – Marin County, USA. ➜TV News + 23’ Highlights on TV
• 15th September: Headlands – Men’s race – 28km/1,304 m V+ – Marin County, USA. ➜ TV News + 23’ Highlights on TV
• 22nd September: Mammoth Trail Fest – 26km/1,250m V+ – Mammoth Lakes, USA. ➜TV News + LIVE TV (Eurosport + TV channels in over 100 countries)
• 17th to 20th October: Grand Final. Details of the race will be officially revealed at a later date ➜TV News + LIVE TV (Eurosport + TV channels in over 100 countries)