Murphy sets new course record in “fun” Trofeo Nasego win

Grayson Murphy (USA) set a new course record at Trofeo Nasego as she overcame Andrea Mayr (AUT) to claim victory in round eight of the World Mountain Running Association (WMRA) World Cup on Sunday. 

On Saturday, Mayr had beaten Murphy at the Vertical Nasego event in round seven of the World Cup, but their places on the podium were reversed the following day after the defending World Champion produced a stunning performance in her first race in Europe. 

“I’m tired, but it was really fun, so I feel good,” Murphy, who also recently crowned US National Mountain Running Champion, said after the race.  

“It was beautiful (the course), so fun. The views were gorgeous and there was a lot of up and down – I like that. I’m very happy, it’s always fun to break a record,” she added, before confirming she will be competing the next round of the World Cup at Canfranc next weekend. 

Murphy completed the 21km, 1330m ascent in 1:45:56, finishing 2:19 clear of Mayr and 3:57 ahead of third place finisher and WMRA World Ranked #8 Francesca Ghelfi (ITA). 

In the men’s race, Petro Mamu (ERI) improved on his third place finish at Vertical Nasego to claim a dominant win. 

Mamu, who has enjoyed success outside of the World Cup this season, picking up a win at Fletta TRAIL last month, finished in 1:32:55 – some 3:07 clear of second place Cesare Maestri (ITA), and 3:32 ahead of Eric Riungu (KEN). 

For WMRA World Ranked #4 Maestri, it was his second World Cup podium finish this season, after he came home in third at Sierre-Zinal. The Italian also picked up fifth at Grossglockner Berglauf. 

Meanwhile, Riungu edged out compatriot and WMRA World Ranked #5 Geoffrey Ndungu (KEN) for his first podium of the season. His other two World Cup races this season ended in sixth at Montee du Nid d’Aigle and 11^th at Grossglockner Berglauf. 

Women 

1. Grayson Murphy (USA) 1:45:56 
2. Andrea Mayr (AUT) 1:48:15 
3. Francesca Ghelfi (ITA) 1:49:53 
4. Joyce Njeru (KEN) 1:52:11 
5. Alice Gaggi (ITA) 1:54:37 

Men  

1. Petro Mamu (ERI) 1:32:55 
2. Cesare Maestri (ITA) 1:36:02 
3. Eric Riungu (KEN) 1:36:27 
4. Geoffrey Ndungu (KEN) 1:36:32  
5. Martin Dematteis (ITA) 1:36:55 

There is another WMRA World Cup double header next weekend in Canfranc-Estacion, Spain, with a long mountain race taking place on Saturday and a classic mountain race the following day, in what will be rounds nine and ten respectively.