France’s Nélie Clément marked herself out as a star of the future in the latest stop of the 2025 WMRA Mountain Running World Cup in the historic alpine city of Briançon.
First she was third in the Vauban Mountain and Trail Uphill Race – a 5.9km course climbing 1,121 vertical metres from the base of the Prorel cable car to just above the Chapelle de Notre-Dame des Neiges.
And then just 24 hours later, the French runner notched a breakthrough international victory in the classic-format race over 14km and 994 metres of elevation gain over a course which twisted through ancient military paths, forested ridgelines, and centuries-old fortifications.
Here’s how both races played out…
Stage 9 – 5.9km
The steep gradients and shifting weather demanded everything from the athletes, especially with the added tension of national team selection for the 2025 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Canfranc on the line for French competitors.
In the men’s race, the early stages saw a dominant pack of three Run2gether teammates — Philemon Kiriago, Josphat Kiprotich, and Richard Omaya Atuya — leading together past the halfway point.
Not far behind, Jacob Adkin (GBR) and Andrea Elia (ITA) led a determined chase group, waiting for any sign of weakness.
That moment came in the final two kilometres. Kiriago lost ground, while Adkin surged forward with his signature late-race strength to climb into third position. Atuya, however, proved unstoppable, breaking away to claim victory in 40:40, followed by Kiprotich in 41:44 and Adkin in 41:53.
Men’s results
- Richard Omaya Atuya (KEN) – 40:40
- Josphat Kiprotich (KEN) – 41:44
- Jacob Adkin (GBR) – 41:53
- Paul Machoka (KEN) – 42:23
- Emmanuel Meyssat (FRA) – 42:26
After an early break by several Kenyan runners, local favourite Christel Dewalle took control on the steepest sections, showing both experience and ambition.
Dewalle claimed a commanding victory in 48:40, booking her place in Canfranc and securing maximum World Cup points.
Scout Adkin (GBR) followed closely in second at 49:27, with Clément taking third in 50:06.
Two Kenyan runners, Gloria Chebet and Philaries Jeruto Kisang, completed the top five.
Women’s results
- Christel Dewalle (FRA) – 48:40
- Scout Adkin (GBR) – 49:27
- Nélie Clément (FRA) – 50:06
- Gloria Chebet (KEN) – 51:19
- Philaries Jeruto Kisang (KEN) – 51:30
Stage 10 – 14km
In the men’s race, Kenyan athletes from Run2gether stamped their authority from the gun, surging ahead on the first climb and never looking back.
Michael Selelo Saoli led the charge and took a commanding victory in 1:04:52, followed closely by Philemon Kiriago in 1:05:21, and Ephantus Mwangi Njeri in 1:05:31.
Just off the podium, uphill winner Richard Omaya Atuya finished fourth in 1:06:02, while Theodore Klein of France, the reigning European champion, rounded out the top five with a time of 1:06:39, showing consistency and class on home soil.
Men’s results
- Michael Selelo Saoli (KEN) – 1:04:52
- Philemon Ombogo Kiriago (KEN) – 1:05:21
- Ephantus Mwangi Njeri (KEN) – 1:05:31
- Richard Omaya Atuya (KEN) – 1:06:02
- Theodore Klein (FRA) – 1:06:39
If the men’s race was defined by Kenyan dominance, the women’s race belonged to Clément.
Just 24 hours after finishing third in the uphill, the French runner produced a performance of pure brilliance and determination, taking a surprising but emphatic victory in 1:15:58.
Her effort was enough to put more than a minute into her closest competitors—Joyce Muthoni Njeru (1:17:11) and Valentine Jepkoech Rutto (1:17:20) – who arrived at the final descent together.
Gloria Chebet (1:17:38) and Scout Adkin (1:19:34) rounded out the top five in a highly competitive women’s field.
Clément’s performance not only confirmed her place among the elite but suggests that the French team has found a new leader for the years to come.
Women’s results
- Nélie Clément (FRA) – 1:15:58
- Joyce Muthoni Njeru (KEN) – 1:17:11
- Valentine Jepkoech Rutto (KEN) – 1:17:20
- Gloria Chebet (KEN) – 1:17:38
- Scout Adkin (GBR) – 1:19:34
