Twice a runner-up in the last two stages of the Golden Trail World Series – losing in memorable sprint finishes to Kilian Jornet and Elhousine Elazzaoui – Philemon Kiriago is determined to secure a win in the GTWS before the season ends.
And if the Kenyan doesn’t succeed at the Mammoth 26K this Sunday, he hopes to do so in the final in Switzerland next month.
Fit and firing again
Looking back on those thrilling finishes at Sierre-Zinal and then Headlands, he told the GTWS’ Mickaël Mussard: “Honestly, I’m very proud of these podiums because I was injured during the first stage in Japan, and it took me a long time to regain my form.
“Now, I feel like I’m getting back in shape, and I even hope I can win the final. I’m just happy with the last two results because they show I’m really close to winning these top races, and more importantly, they helped me qualify for the final.
“At Sierre-Zinal, I wasn’t even aiming for the podium… I was coming back from injury, and I didn’t have a good uphill section, so I thought it was over. But at the 12th kilometre, my body started to respond well, and I was able to push at a 3-minute/kilometre pace.
“By the 20th kilometre, I saw Patrick [Kipngeno] and Rémi [Bonnet], and the pace wasn’t too fast. I decided to test them, and I managed to break away. Then I saw Kilian 1.5 kilometres from the finish. But I’m definitely not good enough on the descent, and he won.
“At Headlands, my plan was to finish in the top five. I tried to follow Rémi, but my legs felt great, better than his, I think. So, by the second kilometre, I decided to lead the group.
“Then, with 800 meters to go, Elhousine and I created a gap, and he launched the sprint. I couldn’t keep up with him, but I accept that – he was just too strong.”
Confidence boost
Taking plenty of confidence from both those performances, he’s now focussed on the Mammoth 26K this weekend in California, followed by the grand final in Switzerland next month.
Looking ahead to Sunday, one thing he’s not concerned about is the fact the race is at altitude, explaining: “I’m used to running at altitude. In Kenya, I train between 2,200 and 2,700 meters. Since we’ve been here, we’ve been doing 10 to 15 kilometres a day at altitude, so I don’t think it’ll be a problem.”
His opponents could be more of an issue and he added: “I haven’t won anything this year, so it’s hard to say I’m faster than the others or that I want to win. My sprained ankle ruined the start of my season, but I’m happy to be back on the podium.
“Now, I want to win a race. If it’s not this weekend, then yes, I want to win the final!”
And could it come down to another thriller on Sunday? “I don’t think Rémi and Patrick will be able to keep up with us! I’m only counting on Elhousine. He’s very strong, and I know I’ll need a different strategy to beat him.
“Elhousine is like an Ethiopian runner – he never wants to lead the race, he always stays behind. But if I wait for the sprint, I think he’ll be too strong for me. So, I’ll need to try to drop him before then.”
