EXTREME conditions force changed route as Golden Trail Series hits Austrian Alps - Lang and Kibett take the wins | Trail Running News

On a rainy morning amid the towering peaks of the Pitzal Valley and along one of the most alpine and rugged courses on the 2025 Golden Trail World Series calendar, Timothy Kibett (Kenya – Salomon Milimani Runners) and Naomi Lang (United Kingdom – Salomon) claimed their first-ever GTWS victories at the Salomon Pitz Alpine Glacier Trail.

The course was shortened to 20 kilometres, and 1,000 metres of elevation gain due to extreme conditions at the highest point of the route.

Women’s race

Caroline Kimutai (Kenya – Salomon Milimani Runners), Philaries Jeruto Kisang (Kenya – Run2gether On Trail), and Faith Kiplagat (Kenya – Salomon Milimani Runners) set a strong pace in the opening loop.

However, the race dynamics began to shift after that first segment. It was at this point that Naomi Lang and Malen Osa (Spain – Salomon) worked together from behind to catch the lead trio and break away. By kilometre 5, the duo held a 45-second lead over a chase group led by Andrine Benjaminsen (Norway – Lillomarka o-lag).

On the day’s only climb – due to the course being shortened – the front group bunched up again, with Lang, Osa, Kimutai, Kiplagat, Benjaminsen, Kisang, and Maria Fuentes (Spain – Kailas) all running within a minute of one another.

Everything pointed to the technical and demanding Tyrolean downhills between the course’s highest point and kilometre 14 in Mandarfen and the start and finish line as the decisive stretch.

By the end of the descent, Lang had opened up a one-minute gap over Osa and a two-minute lead over Kiplagat and Benjaminsen.

On the final loop, Lang held her advantage to cross the finish line in first place, with Osa securing second and sealing a 1–2 for Salomon. Kiplagat couldn’t maintain the pace and was eventually passed at the finish line by Benjaminsen and Fuentes.

Naomi Lang GTWS race seven 2025 — Naomi Lang celebrates a famous win [Photo credit: Justin Galant | Golden Trail World Series]

Lang thus claimed her first Golden Trail World Series victory and she said afterwards: “The race started out really fast and I decided not to go with the front runners. When the course got more technical during the first loop, I went with Malen Osa and we worked together. Having a teammate and roommate there was fantastic.

“On the climb, I gave it everything because it was the only real ascent of the race, so the plan was to hold on until the top. Kiplagat and Kimutai caught up with me, and on the descent I just went for it and tried to open up a gap. I’m really happy to have taken the win in the series and to come back like this after my race in Noli, which didn’t go so well for me.”

Men’s race

The men’s race also kicked off at a blistering pace, with seven runners reaching the five-kilometre mark in under 20 minutes. It was during the uphill section that some gaps began to form, though as many as ten athletes were still within a minute of each other at the highest point of the course.

Leading the pack were Kibett, Taylor Stack (USA – Brooks), Michael Selelo Saoli (Kenya – Run2gether On Trail), Samwel Kiprotich (Kenya – Salomon Milimani Runners), and Dan Curts (USA – Brooks).

Just like in the women’s race, the downhill section proved decisive. Back in Mandarfen after the descent, Kibett held a one-minute lead over Stack and Kiprotich. Behind them, Saoli and Kiplimo were nearly two minutes back.

The final loop ultimately sealed the podium. Kibett maintained a strong lead to secure the win, while Kiprotich overtook Stack in the battle for second place. No further changes occurred behind them, with Saoli and Kiplimo rounding out the top five.

“I want to thank my entire team because they helped me achieve this victory today. I wouldn’t have done it without them. The preparation leading up to this race was excellent,” said Kibett at the finish.