Gray battles to narrow win at Broken Arrow Sky Race

Joseph Gray (USA) crossed the line just two seconds clear of Darren Thomas (USA) as he claimed victory in the Broken Arrow Sky Race in round 13 of the World Mountain Running Association (WMRA) World Cup on Sunday.

Reigning World Mountain Running Champion Gray was crowned USATF Mountain Running champion earlier this year, while Thomas clinched a win at Broken Arrow Vertical on Friday.

In the women’s race at Palisades Tahoe, USA, Janelle Lincks (USA) took the win ahead of Emkay Sullivan (USA).

Gray finished the 26km course in 1:52:44, just metres ahead of Thomas and only 28 seconds clear of Andy Wacker (USA), who was the 2019 NCAC Mountain Running Champion.

“It was great, [there was] a very big field of very good runners and a really fun terrain out there,” Gray told the American Trail Running Association (ATRA) after his win. “I had a good race, [it was] a good way to end the season and get in a good effort.”

In the women’s event, Lincks took the the tape in 2:14:03, 3:16 clear of second place Sullivan and 5:40 ahead of Bailey Kowalczyk (USA).

“That was one of the hardest races I think I’ve ever run in my life,” Sullivan admitted to ATRA after the race. “It hurt from beginning to end but I loved it, it was beautiful and so much fun.”

Rounds 14 and 15 also took place on Sunday, at Zumaia-Flysch in Spain. There were victories for Charlotte Morgan (GBR) and Raul Criado (ESP) in the marathon event, and a Kenyan double in the 22km race.

The next round of the World Cup is Vericale Chiavenna-Lagunc in Italy next weekend.