Rob Jebb, wasn’t going to let Spaniard Augustí Roc beat him twice on home ground and no doubt the freezing rain and below-zero temperatures at the summit, together with slippery scree and knee-deep mud, favoured the seasoned fell runner, who cruised comfortably to victory in the Ben Nevis Race on Sunday, September 5, the second-last in the Series.
Jebb closed in 1h32’33”, three minutes ahead of fellow countryman Danny Hope, followed by the first of the Spaniards, Toful Castanyer, third. Roc was on Jebb’s heels across the summit but a twisted ankle on the descent put an end to his hopes of winning and arrived 7th.
Series leaders, Emanuela Brizio and Stephanie Jimenez also suffered the cold, wet conditions, but unperturbed, 22 year-old Catalan, Mireia Mirò, raced to the finish in 1h56’46”, four minutes ahead of Briton, Natalie White, second, and five minutes ahead of Brizio, third.
The World Series ranking remains unchanged for the top athletes, with Ricardo Mejia and Emanuela Brizio still leading. Mirò now moves up to third position, threatening Jimenez.
Despite conditions, it was a record turnout with 464 finishers in the 74 year-old history of the race. Only once was the race cancelled due to weather conditions, in 1980 – a tribute to the hardened local runners and English fell runners that passionately participate year in year out.
Standing world champion Kilian Jornet, currently ranked fifth, still stands a chance to retain the title if he wins in Malaysia, the World Series final, where double points are awarded to top ranked athletes. With only one more Trial on September 27 in Spain, where athletes can adjust their score based on the best results from three races and one trial, the final on the 4,195m Mount Kinabalu in Malaysia on October 24 and 25, looks set to deliver an exciting contest.
Photography: ©LonglLight
