Uganda claims gold and silver at Global Mountain Race

Team Uganda has made its mark at the 2023 World Mountain Race and Trail Championship held in Austria securing a gold and silver medal the Junior Men category.

The outstanding performance came from Hosea Chemutai and James during the 7.5 km race held in Innsbruck and scenic Stubai valley on Saturday afternoon.

Chemutai put up a nearly flawless performance in the challenging mountainous race to earn Uganda's first-ever gold medal in the championship.

"I am thrilled to have won the gold medal in such a prestigious championship,” Chemutai said after the race.

It was a challenging race, but I gave it my all and managed to come out on top. This victory is not just for me but for all of Uganda," he added.

Kirwa, a promising talent, pushed his compatriot to the limits and secured a well-deserved silver medal, completing an impressive 1-2 finish for Team Uganda.

Kirwa also shared his excitement about his silver medal achievement and the overall performance of Team Uganda:

"Being able to secure a silver medal in such a competitive field is truly an honour,” Kirwa explained.

“I am proud to have represented Uganda and contributed to the team's success. This is just the beginning, and I believe we have more to achieve in the future.”

The route took the runners across the Inn on the Europaratsallee and to the trails on the Nordkette, climbing steeply up to Gramartboden, then heading through the forest to top out at 937m.

The final kilometre on road gave a good opportunity for the spectators to see what the runners had left in their legs. The route consisted of one lap of a 7.5km loop, with 374m of ascent.

Beatrice Ayikoru, the Uganda Athletic Federation Secretary and a council member at the World Athletics, congratulated the athletes on their outstanding achievement.

"I congratulate them on such an outstanding performance which also sees them combine to win the team gold for Uganda since two or more athletes score for the team through their performance," Ayikoru said.

The junior men's brilliant victor adds to an impressive showing by their compatriot Levi Kiprotich, who bravely tackled the torrid terrain to win silver in the senior men's event.

Men’s top 5 

Hosea Chemutai (UGA) 27.37 
James Kirwa (UGA) 27.43 
Matthieu Bűhrer (SUI) 27.52 w
Lukas Ehrle (GER) 28.28 
Jan Torrella (ESP) 28.38