Kenya’s Joyce Njeru looked in control to take the win at the 2025 Broken Arrow Skyrace 23k. In this interview, Joyce talks about her all-race duel with second-place Mădălina Florea, how the pair are friends who take care of each other as they compete, how her confidence manifested in a strong performance, and next weekend’s Golden Trail World Series race in Mexico — a new country for her.
To see more about how the race unfolded, be sure to check out our 2025 Broken Arrow 23k results article.
[Editor’s Note: If you are unable to see the video above, click here to access it.]
Joyce Njeru, 2025 Broken Arrow 23k Champion, Interview Transcript
iRunFar: Meghan Hicks of iRunFar. I’m with Joyce Njeru. You just won the Broken Arrow Skyrace 23k. Congratulations. Hongera sana.
Joyce Njeru: Thank you. Asante.
iRunFar: How was today for you? You looked in control from start to finish.
Njeru: Wow. It was quite good. This is what everybody’s telling me. I was so focused, and I did think I needed to take it so easy not to damage myself, and then at the end of it to be happy. But at the beginning I was so confident with myself. I really knew the race from the beginning, the course, to the last part of it. So, it was just to take it easy and yeah, it was okay for me.
iRunFar: So, I heard there was a bear on the course somewhere around kilometer six or seven but you missed it?
Njeru: I didn’t see it. That’s why I’m saying I was so focused. I didn’t realize this, but it was good. I never saw it because I think it could somehow disconnect me from the race and run for my security. But yeah, it was quite good. Yes.
iRunFar: You spent most of the race running with or very near Mădălina Florea, the second-place finisher. What was that like? Were you working together? What was that like from your perspective?
Njeru: Well, I have been competing with her most of the races, and I know what she is capable of, and she knows what I’m capable of. So, when it comes to uphill, she is quite strong, more than I am. So maybe when it comes to the uphill, she just says, “Okay, let me pass.” And I have to let her do it. And when it comes to the downhill, then we exchange. And with her, I really like competing with her. She is, I don’t know how to express it, but she is a good friend, and a good competitor to each other, and yeah, she’s good.
iRunFar: You can feel the energy between the two of you out on the course and at the finish line. It’s a really good, positive energy.
Njeru: Yes, because for me, when she wins, I’m happy. When I win, she is happy. So, when we just do good things, we just celebrate each other. Because also when she is not, the day is not good for her, also for me, we are just there for each other, trying to motivate each other like that. It’s not the final, you still have days to go, and you just keep strong and stay focused. So, we just really help each other, maybe behind the camera and everything. She’s a good friend. I love her.
iRunFar: That’s so sweet.
Njeru: Yes.
iRunFar: The Broken Arrow course is really unique for the high summit. There’s some snow steps, there’s ropes and there’s a ladder. What was that like out there today?
Njeru: Well, with the snow, it was no more than last year. Also, with the rope and the stairs there, it was quite good. Yes, I really like it with the course, because it’s more favorable for me up and down, so I like it.
iRunFar: From the finish line, we could watch you about the final kilometer on the road and you were hauling.
Njeru: [laughs]
iRunFar: What were you thinking in that moment?
Njeru: I think my aim was just to finish and not just to finish, but to finish and be strong and be happy, yes.
iRunFar: For me, it’s really interesting to watch you race because in the race, you’re very, you know, focused, head down. You can tell your thoughts are there. And then as soon as you cross the finish line, it was like this party, like, happy Joyce comes out. Does it feel like, is it like letting the pressure off or what’s that feeling in that moment?
Njeru: Well, I think, Okay, I have to focus. But at the same time, if you can talk to me or say something, I will give a smile back and I can return back or talk to you. And also, during the course with Mădălina, we talk to each other. ‘Are you okay?’ ‘Is everything okay?’ Or then if somebody’s behind us, then you have to tell each other, ‘Just keep up.’ And at the back, it’s not good. So, we just communicate, and then we just return back and focus. And yes, at the finish and when it’s done, then yes, everybody’s happy. And it’s always a good feeling when you have done whatever you wanted. And yes, this is the side of me.
iRunFar: I saw you enjoy a little bit of Champagne.
Njeru: [laughs]
iRunFar: Just a little bit.
Njeru: Yes, just a little bit. And instead of washing the others [motions spraying with Champagne], I just did it to myself and I was like, What the hell, what did you do?
iRunFar: I had to wash my hair.
Njeru: I was trying to open my eyes, and they were itching and I was like, Okay, you did it. I was happy anyway.
iRunFar: Last question for you. You get on a plane tomorrow to head to Mexico to compete in next weekend’s Golden Trail World Series race. Another country, another adventure for you?
Njeru: Yes, and I think competing, I like adventure. So competing in the Golden Trail Series, they have just created another way. And I hope, okay, I’m happy going to Mexico. It’s my first time, and I’m curious and excited to see the trails in Mexico, the people there, and have and learn new things. And I hope everything will go well and yes, I will come back home happy.
iRunFar: Amazing. Congratulations to you on your win of the Broken Arrow Skyrace. You are just a joy to watch compete. Congratulations.
Njeru: Thank you so much.
