Everything You Need To Know About The 2026 World Athletics Cross Country

When and How to Watch World Athletics Cross Country Championships

Start Date

The 2026 World Athletics Cross Country Championships is scheduled for Saturday, January 10, 2026.

Start Times

• 9:45 a.m. Mixed relay
• 10:20 a.m. U20 women’s race
• 10:55 a.m. U20 men’s race
• 11:35 a.m. Senior women’s race
• 12:20 p.m Senior men’s race

How to Watch World Athletics Cross Country Championships

Live streaming coverage is also available across multiple territories through World Athletics’ broadcast partners. A full, confirmed broadcast list is expected on the eve of the event, but coverage is currently scheduled as follows:

• United States: NBC / Peacock
• Canada: CBC
• United Kingdom: BBC / Eurovision Sport
• Europe & Israel: Eurovision Sports
• Australia: World Athletics Inside Track
• Spain: Teledeporte
• Italy: Rai Sport
• South America: TyC Sports
• Turkey: TRT
• Norway: NRK
• Japan: U-NEXT TV
• Kenya & Ethiopia: SuperSport Variety 1

Broadcast availability may vary by region, and some territories may require a subscription depending on platform.

Course Map

The World Athletics Cross Country Championships will be held at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee, a venue with deep cross-country credentials and a long history of hosting national-level meets. The championship course is built around two looping circuits, with athletes repeatedly returning to the same technical sections as the race develops.

In the senior races, runners will complete multiple laps for a total distance of 10km, facing the course’s defining features five times.

Key Challenge Sections

The defining feature of the course is the elevated “Roller Coaster” boardwalk, which rises roughly 12 feet above ground and introduces sharp changes in elevation and rhythm. It’s exposed, narrow, and repeated multiple times, making positioning critical.

Other challenge areas include a sand pit section on the eastern side of the course, a water pit set between two short climbs, a mud pit running through a wooded stretch, and the “Gator Logs,” where runners navigate past parallel pine trunks near Lake Lafayette. None are long in isolation, but together they create a course that punishes lapses in focus.

Weather

TLLAHASSEE WEATHER

Prize Money

World Athletics is offering some pretty significant prize money across the senior individual races, team competitions, and the mixed relay.

Senior Individual Races

• Gold: US$30,000
• Silver: US$15,000
• Bronze: US$10,000
• 4th place: US$7,000
• 5th place: US$5,000
• 6th place: US$3,000

Team Competition

• Gold: US$20,000
• Silver: US$16,000
• Bronze: US$12,000
• 4th place: US$10,000
• 5th place: US$8,000
• 6th place: US$4,000

Mixed Relay (Per Team)

• Gold: US$12,000
• Silver: US$8,000
• Bronze: US$6,000
• 4th place: US$4,000

Men’s and Women’s Elite Start Lists

Senior Men

Uriel Rodrigo Muñoz (ARG)
Manuel Rojas (ARG)
Germán Vega (ARG)
Tomás Vega (ARG)
Thomas Do Canto (AUS)
Isaac Heyne (AUS)
Edward Marks (AUS)
Morgan McDonald (AUS)
Seth O’Donnell (AUS)
Ky Robinson (AUS)
Haftu Strintzos (AUS)
Therence Bizoza (BDI)
Emile Hafashimana (BDI)
Thierry Irakoze (BDI)
Célestin Ndikumana (BDI)
Egide Ntakarutimana (BDI)
Elie Sindayikengdera (BDI)
Victor Hugo Aguilar Mamani (BOL)
Mohammed Ahmed (CAN)
Evan Burke (CAN)
Santiago Gaitan (CAN)
Jack Lehto (CAN)
Philippe Morneau-Cartier (CAN)
Yemane Mulugeta (CAN)
Xavier Perras-Phaneuf (CAN)
Matt Talbot (CAN)
Zhongping Chen (CHN)
Xing Liu (CHN)
Wenliang Ma (CHN)
Haoran Tang (CHN)
Weizheng Tian (CHN)
Wenjie Wang (CHN)
Sadio Fenner (CIV)
Aarón Las Heras (ESP)
Jaime Migallon (ESP)
Thierry Ndikumwenayo (ESP)
Abdessamad Oukhelfen (ESP)
Karel Hussar (EST)
Berihu Aregawi (ETH)
Nibret Kinde (ETH)
Biniam Mehary (ETH)
Bereket Nega (ETH)
Mezgebu Sime (ETH)
Tadese Worku (ETH)
Benjamin Ashkettle (FIJ)
Yeshnil Karan (FIJ)
Etienne Daguinos (FRA)
Valentin Gondouin (FRA)
Jimmy Gressier (FRA)
Fabien Palcau (FRA)
Yann Schrub (FRA)
Jacob Cann (GBR)
Joe Hudson (GBR)
Rory Leonard (GBR)
David Mullarkey (GBR)
Matthew Ramsden (GBR)
Richard Slade (GBR)
Hugh Kent (GUM)
Iván Zarco (HON)
Sawan Barwal (IND)
Abhishek Pal (IND)
Gulveer Singh (IND)
Brian Fay (IRL)
Derebe Ayele (ISR)
Adisu Guardia (ISR)
Assaf Harari (ISR)
Zade Kayyali (JOR)
Ryuto Igawa (JPN)
Kiyoto Ono (JPN)
Daiki Ozawa (JPN)
Yuma Shimoo (JPN)
Takumi Shiobara (JPN)
Hiroto Yoshioka (JPN)
Edwin Kiplangat Bett (KEN)
Kevin Chepsergon Chesang (KEN)
Daniel Simiu Ebenyo (KEN)
Denis Kipkemoi (KEN)
Ishmael Kipkurui (KEN)
Robert Kiprop Koech (KEN)
Shadrack Kipngetich Koech (KEN)
Weldon Langat (KEN)
Tilekzhan Zhekshenaly Uulu (KGZ)
Kristers Kudlis (LAT)
Artūrs Niklāvs Medveds (LAT)
Zayed Al Sayd (LBN)
Michel Simon Darazi (LBN)
Munir Kabbara (LBN)
Charbel Sejaan (LBN)
Seng Tou Ip (MAC)
Diego Adolfo Garcia (MEX)
César Daniel Gomez Ponce (MEX)
Mario López (MEX)
Arturo Israel Reyna (MEX)
Divan du Plooy (NAM)
Oliver Chignell (NZL)
Toby Gualter (NZL)
William Little (NZL)
Taonga Mbambo (NZL)
Connor Melton (NZL)
MacCallum Rowe (NZL)
Jhon Andres Atachagua (PER)
Nelson Ito Ccuro (PER)
Paul Ramirez (PER)
Omar Ramos (PER)
Yacine Guermali (PHI)
Dilu Goiye Bob (PNG)
Felice Covillon (PYF)
Sanele Masondo (RSA)
Chris Mhlanga (RSA)
Musawenkosi Mnisi (RSA)
Jayde Rosslee (RSA)
Bennett Seloyi (RSA)
Adriaan Wildschutt (RSA)
Bassirou Diop (SEN)
Mor Fall (SEN)
Gaylord Silly (SEY)
Ethan Yan (SGP)
Omer Elfadi (SUD)
Simon Sundström (SWE)
Emanuel Dinday (TAN)
Gabriel Gerald Geay (TAN)
Benjamin Ratsim (TAN)
Inyasi Nicodemus Sulley (TAN)
John Nahhay Wele (TAN)
Dolphine Chelimo (UGA)
Dan Kibet (UGA)
Emmanuel Kibet (UGA)
Jacob Kiplimo (UGA)
Keneth Kiprop (UGA)
Deogracius Musobo (UGA)
Morgan Beadlescomb (USA)
Graham Blanks (USA)
Rocky Hansen (USA)
Wesley Kiptoo (USA)
Ahmed Muhumed (USA)
Liam Murphy (USA)
Parker Wolfe (USA)
Nico Young (USA)
Oliver Simon Diaz (VEN)
Gabriel Guzman (VEN)
Luis Alberto Orta (VEN)
Tatenda Hove (ZIM)
Wayne Kabondo (ZIM)
Godwin Katakura (ZIM)
Bradley Makuvire (ZIM)

Senior Women

Caitlin Adams (AUS)
Holly Campbell (AUS)
Bronte Oates (AUS)
Leanne Pompeani (AUS)
Lauren Ryan (AUS)
Maudie Skyring (AUS)
Francine Niyomukunzi (BDI)
Benita Parra Sánchez (BOL)
Katelyn Ayers (CAN)
Cleo Boyd (CAN)
Florence Caron (CAN)
Grace Fetherstonhaugh (CAN)
Makenna Fitzgerald (CAN)
Ceili McCabe (CAN)
Glynis Sim (CAN)
Chloe Thomas (CAN)
Qingqing Li (CHN)
Yuan Li (CHN)
Huiru Liu (CHN)
Shuanglu Pan (CHN)
Panpan Wang (CHN)
Maria Forero (ESP)
Idaira Prieto (ESP)
Carolina Robles (ESP)
Angela Viciosa (ESP)
Liis-Grete Hussar (EST)
Asayech Ayichew (ETH)
Aleshign Baweke (ETH)
Shure Demise (ETH)
Senayet Getachew (ETH)
Lemlem Nibret (ETH)
Alem Tsadik (ETH)
Phoebe Anderson (GBR)
Jessica Gibbon (GBR)
Lucy Jones (GBR)
Megan Keith (GBR)
Verity Ockenden (GBR)
Poppy Tank (GBR)
Juliana Sakat (GHA)
Niamh Allen (IRL)
Fiona Everard (IRL)
Rachel Conhoff (ISV)
Wakana Itsuki (JPN)
Momoka Kawaguchi (JPN)
Yuzu Nishide (JPN)
Mitsu Ozaki (JPN)
Sora Shinozakura (JPN)
Momoa Yamada (JPN)
Caren Chebet (KEN)
Maurine Jepkoech Chebor (KEN)
Joyline Chepkemoi (KEN)
Brenda Jepchumba Kenei (KEN)
Rebecca Mwangi (KEN)
Agnes Jebet Ngetich (KEN)
Nada El Kurdi (LBN)
Ghida Hamieh (LBN)
Karine Shraim (LBN)
Jennifer Tomazou (LBN)
Yangyang Wu (MAC)
Arian Iveth Chia Hernández (MEX)
Sabrina Salcedo García (MEX)
Marta Vazquez (MEX)
Amina Maatoug (NED)
Nathania Tan (NMI)
Katrina Andrew (NZL)
Hannah Gapes (NZL)
Sophie Hicks (NZL)
Maribel Ayquipa (PER)
Liz Anani Durand (PER)
Sheyla Eulogio Paucar (PER)
Zarita Suárez (PER)
Layla Almasri (PLE)
Monica Kalua (PNG)
Louise Grosgogeat (PYF)
Kyla Jacobs (RSA)
Karabo Mailula (RSA)
Zanele Maisa (RSA)
Cian Oldknow (RSA)
Cacisile Sosibo (RSA)
Glenrose Xaba (RSA)
Faith Zhen Ford (SGP)
Vanessa Ying Zhuang Lee (SGP)
Nicole Low (SGP)
Xuan Jie Ng (SGP)
Sarah Lahti (SWE)
Rebecca Chelangat (UGA)
Sarah Chelangat (UGA)
Kereen Chemusto (UGA)
Martha Chemutai (UGA)
Joy Cheptoyek (UGA)
Rispa Cherop (UGA)
Grace Hartman (USA)
Katie Izzo (USA)
Weini Kelati (USA)
Ednah Kurgat (USA)
Allie Ostrander (USA)
Karissa Schweizer (USA)
Elise Stearns (USA)
Emily Venters (USA)
Caroline Fungisai Mhandu (ZIM)
Answer Brandietta Tasara (ZIM)

U20 Men

Amir Mouadh Baroud (ALG)
Abdelmouaz Belhadad (ALG)
Soheib Dissa (ALG)
Ahmed Abdelnasser Messabis (ALG)
Kaddour Naili (ALG)
Mohammed Lamine Soukkou (ALG)
Zakaria Touahria (ALG)
Harrison Boyn (AUS)
Campbell Brooks (AUS)
Kayden Elliott (AUS)
Lachlan Moore (AUS)
Brayden Noonan (AUS)
Kieran Shepherd (AUS)
Md Mahidul Hasan (BAN)
Willem Renders (BEL)
Chase Capes (CAN)
Brody Clark (CAN)
Oliver Crowe (CAN)
Brendan Currie (CAN)
William Scharf (CAN)
Stephanus Snyman (CAN)
Saul Taler (CAN)
Eli Torrie (CAN)
Zhihui Luo (CHN)
Zilong Ma (CHN)
Yuhang Xie (CHN)
Jiangfu Yu (CHN)
Kuma Barrios (ESP)
Adria Boyano (ESP)
Xavi Cabanilles (ESP)
Teo de Frutos (ESP)
Alejandro de la Viuda (ESP)
Alejandro Ibañez (ESP)
Ayele Sewnet (ETH)
Alois Abraham (FRA)
Ewan Busfield (GBR)
Michael Clark (GBR)
Luke Dunham (GBR)
Jonson Hughes (GBR)
Alex Lennon (GBR)
Noah Harris (IRL)
Ayde Cintron (ISV)
Danny Kuran (JOR)
Ojiro Honda (JPN)
Rikuto Ikeya (JPN)
Kain Inagaki (JPN)
Junsei Murakami (JPN)
Haruki Niizuma (JPN)
Kota Tamura (JPN)
Andrew Kiptoo Alamisi (KEN)
Edwin Elkana (KEN)
Kelvin Kakenya Kariankei (KEN)
Frankline Kibet (KEN)
Emmanuel Kiprono (KEN)
Brian Kiptarus (KEN)
Andrew Kiptoo (KEN)
Kevin Kiprop Soget (KEN)
Mahmoud Abou Zeid (LBN)
Santiago del Moral (MEX)
Nash Victor Maniego Santos (NMI)
Bede Colbourne (NZL)
Corban Holmes (NZL)
Redd Scampion (NZL)
Caleb Wagener (NZL)
George Wyllie (NZL)
Edwar Rely Marquez (PER)
Hugo Sullca (PER)
Benkosi Magwara (RSA)
Olerato Masiloane (RSA)
Anele Matsoso (RSA)
Junior Noah (RSA)
Tshepang Tshivula (RSA)
Beutin van der Westhuizen (RSA)
Sebastian Lörstad (SWE)
Solomon Andiema (UGA)
Daniel Kiprotich Chelogoi (UGA)
Abraham Cherotich (UGA)
Dan Kipyek (UGA)
Jeremiah Kwemoi (UGA)
Tyler Daillak (USA)
Wil Ihmels (USA)
Dylan Maloney (USA)
Daniel Skandera (USA)
Jackson Spencer (USA)
Aidan Torres (USA)
Salvador Wirth (USA)
Jackson Nyamazana (ZIM)

U20 Women

Piper Anderson (AUS)
Helena Butler (AUS)
Addison Houslip (AUS)
Eliza Lawton (AUS)
Libby Mantay (AUS)
Isabella Valinoti (AUS)
Priya Akter (BAN)
Lilianna Aiello (CAN)
Athena Andrecyk (CAN)
Adrianna Buitelaar (CAN)
Riley Innes (CAN)
Bridget Jeffrey (CAN)
Zoe Mosher (CAN)
Kayley Torrie (CAN)
Eleanor Voykin (CAN)
Yue Deng (CHN)
Jinhua Hu (CHN)
Rong Rong (CHN)
Yuhan Wang (CHN)
Sandra Gonzalez (ESP)
Claudia Gutierrez (ESP)
Debris Paniagua (ESP)
Demeku Paniagua (ESP)
Mara Rolli (ESP)
Amanda Roman (ESP)
Marta Alemayo (ETH)
Wosane Asefa (ETH)
Yenenesh Shimket (ETH)
Maisey Bellwood (GBR)
Ava James (GBR)
Eliza Nicholson (GBR)
Katie Pye (GBR)
Zara Redmond (GBR)
Kitty Rose Scott (GBR)
Noora Shihab Ahmad Kuran (JOR)
Wakana Fukuyama (JPN)
Mei Hosomi (JPN)
Michi Kawanishi (JPN)
Airi Mashiba (JPN)
Yui Onotora (JPN)
Mona Utsunomiya (JPN)
Cynthia Chepkirui (KEN)
Joan Chepkurui (KEN)
Caren Chepngeno (KEN)
Mercy Chepngeno (KEN)
Lonah Cherono (KEN)
Mercy Jelimo (KEN)
Miriam Chemutai Kibet (KEN)
Denika Clooney (NZL)
Brynne Gordon (NZL)
Poppy Healy (NZL)
Siena Mackley (NZL)
Eleanor Pugh (NZL)
Scarlett Robb (NZL)
Omaatla Dikao (RSA)
Ithuteng Khiba (RSA)
Leandri Pretorius (RSA)
Anke Stander (RSA)
Lara Stander (RSA)
Andrea Steynberg (RSA)
Lara van der Merwe (RSA)
Fanny Szalkai (SWE)
Peace Chebet (UGA)
Felister Chekwemoi (UGA)
Nancy Chepkwurui (UGA)
Charity Cherop (UGA)
Bentalin Yeko (UGA)
Blair Bartlett (USA)
Caroline Barton (USA)
Norah Hushagen (USA)
Avery Marasco-Johnson (USA)
Arabella Nelson (USA)
Daniela Scheffler (USA)
Abigail Sewell (USA)
Maeve Smith (USA)
Tulange Mudenda (ZIM)

Mixed Relay (Federations)

Australia (AUS)
Canada (CAN)
China (CHN)
Ethiopia (ETH)
France (FRA)
Great Britain & Northern Ireland (GBR)
India (IND)
Kenya (KEN)
Morocco (MAR)
Mexico (MEX)
New Zealand (NZL)
South Africa (RSA)
Tanzania (TAN)
Uganda (UGA)
United States (USA)

Key Storylines

Senior Men

The senior men’s race revolves around Jacob Kiplimo and the history in front of him. A win in Tallahassee would make the Ugandan just the fourth man ever to claim three consecutive world cross country titles, joining John Ngugi, Paul Tergat, and Kenenisa Bekele. Since winning in Belgrade in 2024, Kiplimo has largely shifted his focus to the roads, debuting in the marathon with a 2:03:37 second place in London before winning Chicago in 2:02:23. He arrives here fresh, with unanswered questions about how that marathon emphasis translates back to a 10km championship race on grass and dirt.

Standing directly in his way again is Berihu Aregawi, who has taken silver behind Kiplimo at the last two World Cross Championships. The margins are shrinking, nine seconds in 2023, three seconds in 2024, and the Ethiopian arrives still searching for his first global gold after a run of near-misses across cross country, track, and indoors. Ethiopia’s depth is formidable, led by Aregawi alongside Bereket Nega, Biniam Mehary, and Tadese Worku, while Kenya counters with sustained pressure through Daniel Ebenyo, Kevin Chesang, Denis Kemboi, and Shadrack Koech as they defend their team title.

Senior Women

For the first time in a decade, the senior women’s race will crown a new champion. Beatrice Chebet, winner of the past two titles, is absent, opening the door for a wide-open individual contest while keeping the team battle firmly in East Africa’s hands.

Kenya looks strongest on paper, led by Agnes Jebet Ngetich, the world 10km record-holder, who claimed bronze in 2023 and arrives after winning the Sirikwa Classic. She’s joined by Maurine Chebor, winner of the Kenyan trials, along with Brenda Jepchumba Kenei, Joyline Chepkemoi, Rebecca Mwangi, and Caren Chebet as Kenya targets a third straight team title.

Ethiopia counters with a squad heavy on former U20 standouts stepping up, including Senayet Getachew, Asayech Ayichew, and Aleshign Baweke, while Uganda remains a consistent podium threat behind Joy Cheptoyek and Sarah Chelangat. For the host nation, Weini Kelati Frezghi leads the U.S. team after winning the trials, joined by Katie Izzo and Ednah Kurgat as the Americans chase a rare home-soil team medal.

U20 Men

The U20 men’s race has been dominated by Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda for more than three decades, and Tallahassee is unlikely to change that. Kenya enters with momentum and depth, led by world U20 5000m champion Andrew Alamisi, alongside Emmanuel Kiprono, Frankline Kibet, and Kelvin Kariankei.

Uganda’s challenge is headed by Abraham Cherotich, who won the national trials and brings championship experience from mountain running, backed by a deep supporting cast. Ethiopia, limited by visa issues to a single entrant, will be represented by Ayele Sewnet, ruling them out of the team contest but not individual relevance.

Outside East Africa, Willem Renders of Belgium arrives after sweeping European U20 titles on track and cross country, while the U.S. is led by national champion Aidan Torres, joined by Tyler Daillak and Daniel Skandera.

U20 Women

The U20 women’s race carries a twist. While Marta Alemayo returns as defending champion, Ethiopia’s squad has been reduced to three athletes due to visa issues, making them ineligible for the team competition. Alemayo is joined by Yenenesh Shimket, arguably the form athlete after a strong European cross-country tour, and Wosane Asefa, one of the fastest U20 steeplechasers in the world.

That opens the door for Kenya to reclaim the team title, led by Cynthia Chepkirui, winner of the Kenyan trials, with Miriam Kibet and Lonah Cherono rounding out the squad. Uganda, led by Charity Cherop, and Japan, anchored by Mei Hosomi, both loom as realistic podium threats.

Mixed Relay

Kenya enters the mixed relay as the clear reference point, having won all but one world title since the event was introduced in 2017. Reynold Cheruiyot, Kyumbe Munguti, and Purity Chepkirui all return from recent gold-medal squads, with the final lineup to be confirmed.

Australia may field the starriest team, with Jessica Hull, Ollie Hoare, and Linden Hall all available, while Great Britain, France, Ethiopia, and the United States also bring credible medal ambitions. With short legs, handovers, and unfamiliar race dynamics, the relay remains the most unpredictable event of the championships.