Joyce Njeru this week bids to become the first African runner to win the Golden Trail World Series.
With three victories under her belt, she’s in pole position heading into the finale in Switzerland – but she missed out by a single point in the Mountain Running World Cup standings last weekend so won’t want lightning to strike twice.
Under pressure?
Speaking to the GTWS’ Mickaël Mussard and asked if she expected to dominate the Series like this at the start of the season, she said: “No, not at all! I had already run some Golden Trail Series races, but I had never done the whole season. So, I wanted to participate this year to learn, gain experience, and see if I could hope for something more in the following season.
“Now, I’m at the top of the rankings, and I find myself under pressure!”
But is that pressure tricky to handle going into Thursday’s prologue and then Saturday’s women’s decider? “No, because I keep the same mindset I had at the start of the season. Of course, I’m proud of these results – it’s already a great achievement – and I just hope everything goes well in the final. But what I really want is to be able to give the best version of myself, to simply have the chance to do my best, no matter what the result is in the end.”
A California double in the last two races has put her top of those standings and it was the first of those which has been the highlight of her season so far: “The race I enjoyed the most was definitely Headlands! I had a lot of fun throughout the race with Madalina [Florea]. More than a battle, we helped each other. When one of us wasn’t feeling great, the other took over. I had never really had the chance to race against her before, and I loved it. Plus, the terrain suited me particularly well since it was very runnable.”
And it’s Florea who could be the biggest threat to her this week: “Madalina is right behind me in the overall standings, and she could perform very well in the final. But I’m not going to make it easy for her; I’ve prepared well and hope to get a good result.
“I haven’t scouted the course. But I don’t need to know if it suits me. In the end, we’ll all have the same chances at the start, and we’ll see how it goes.
“The terrains [this year] have been very different, and that’s what gives everyone a chance. It’s all about making the right choices. Some are good at climbing, others at descending, some on the flats. Some do better on technical terrain, others on more runnable ground, at altitude or not, and this season has been very varied.”
Turning the spotlight on trail
Asked what it would mean to take the overall crown, Joyce said: “It makes me really proud – I never thought I could be the first African. A few years ago, people were already asking me if I thought I could win a circuit like the Golden Trail Series one day, but I never believed I could do it, at least not this year. It gives me positive vibes, makes me want to do even better, aim even higher, and enjoy my level without pressure.
I also hope it will help the Kenyan federation open their eyes and take more interest in trail running.
“If my results can inspire Kenyans and make them want to get into the mountains, then I’ll be happy.”
And asked what message she would like to send to the Western audience about African trail runners, she replies: “Our main difference is our skin colour, but if you cut our veins, we all have the same colour of blood.
“Beyond that, I think it’s true that we may have a harder time communicating – some don’t dare or don’t even try. But we also have great stories to tell, and we can be a lot of fun. We love this sport, trail running, and I hope I can keep going for a long time. Sometimes, we’re accused of running just for the money, but I think Western runners are professionals too, and in the end, it’s also their job. They run to have a more comfortable life, just like us. In the end, we’re all the same.”
