Six of the best for Africa at Quebec Mega Trail

Samwel Kiprotich (Salomon) raced to his first Golden Trail World Series (GTWS) title on Sunday (5 July), winning the Quebec Mega Trail 28,9km in Canada in a tight finish as athletes from Africa walked off with the major share of the prize money.

Kenyan and Moroccan athletes filled the top six places in one of the closest men’s races in the history of GTWS.  Just 47 seconds separated 6^th– placed Kenyan Timothy Kibbett (Salomon) from his compatriot Kiprotich, with the first non-Africa, American Taylor Stack (Brooks), trailing 6 minutes back in 7^th.

Romanian athlete, Madalina Florea (Scott), last year’s overall GTWS champion, won the women’s race after a tough duel with Kenyan Caroline Kimutai (Salomon). Florea finished a yawning seven minutes clear of French athlete Marie Nivet (Nike ACG) as Kimutai faded in the final quarter to finish third, another two minutes back.

The race marked Quebec’s entry into the GTWS circuit and took place over a demanding 28.7-kilometre course featuring 1,397 metres of elevation gain.

Most of the climbing took place in the first third of the race, which featured two technical climbs up Mont-Sainte-Anne, and steep descents through its ski resort. The second half consisted largely of fast, root-strewn singletrack trails.

After finishing fourth at Ledro Sky Trentino earlier this season, Kiprotich stepped onto the top of the podium in only his second GTWS race. “I’m happy. Of course, it wasn’t easy,” said Kiprotich after his victory.

“I didn’t want to spend too much energy following the leaders in the early stages because I knew I needed to be strong at the end. In the last ten minutes I pushed at full speed and got the win.”  

Florea prepared well for race, arriving ten days early to adapt to the change in time zones and become familiar with the route. “It was a very good day for me,”said Florea after her victory. “The spectators along the course gave me wings and flower power!

“It’s no longer that important for me to be number one – it’s more important to enjoy myself in racing. Winning the Golden Trail World Series title last year had been a dream for many years. Now it’s time to enjoy every race.

“But if enjoyment and winning can go together, then I’ll say ‘okay – let’s do it!’”

Runner-up at Ledro Sky Trentino, Florea’s victory in 2:27:12 moves the Scott athlete into the lead of the overall standings with 442 points, ahead of Kimutai on 408 and Nivet on 344.

Moroccan Elhousine Elazzaoui (Nnormal) mixed it with the leaders from the start but found the flatter, faster second half favoured his rivals. He finished fourth behind Kenyans Philemon Kiriago (Run2gether On Trail) and Nashon Kiplimo (Salomon), just 31 seconds behind the winner, but retains the overall series lead thanks to his victories at Zegama-Aizkorri in Spain and Ledro Sky Trentino in Italy.

“Yes, for me the race was good but it was really too flat for me. There are many athletes who are good on the flat,” Elazzaoui told SPNAfrica. “The next one will be better and I’ll be racing Sierra Zinal.”

The race got off to a blistering start but the first ascent, a brutal 2.4-kilometre climb averaging 21%, quickly whittled the field down to a lead group of Adam Sjolund (Ponderosa Pilates), Elazzaoui, Kiriago and Kibett. Kiprotich was just 12 seconds adrift with Stack a further 12 seconds back.

With the two major climbs behind them, the race shifted into a higher gear on the northern slopes of Mont-Sainte-Anne, winding through fast and technical forest trails. The fight for victory was completely open heading into the decisive final section, with several athletes still firmly in contention.

In the end, it was Kiprotich who claimed victory, crossing the line in 2:08:19 after a performance built on consistency and tactical patience. Kiriago finished second, just five seconds behind, while Nashon Kiplimo completed the podium a further 13 seconds back after an intensely contested second half of the race.“

Runner-up at Ledro Sky Trentino, Florea went one better this time, claiming a dominant victory in 2:27:12. The win moves the Scott athlete into the lead of the overall standings with 442 points, ahead of Kimutai on 408 and Nivet on 344.

The GTWS moves back to Europe for the fourth leg, the 23,5km Salomon Pitz Alpine Glacier Trail, which takes place in Austria on 1 August, just a week before the fifth leg at Sierra Zinal (SZ) in Switzerland.  

Zegama and Sierra Zinal have been the only fixtures in the GTWS programme since its inaugural year in 2018, with many regarding SZ as the most competitive trail race on the planet. While the race records are held by trail legends Kilian Jornet and Maude Mathys, Africa has dominated in recent years, and every indication is that this year will be no different.

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