World Athletics Cross Country Championships 2026

The world's best distance runners descend on Tallahassee on January 10, 2026, as the World Athletics Cross Country Championships return to U.S. soil for the first time in over 30 years. Fans can watch every race live and free on Eurovision Sport, with elite athletes battling for global titles on the fast, rolling trails of Apalachee Regional Park.

• Location: Tallahassee, Florida, USA (Apalachee Regional Park)
• Date: January 10, 2026 (Saturday)
• Events: Five championship races (Senior, U20, Mixed Relay)
• Streaming: Live and on demand, free on Eurovision Sport

World Cross Country Championships 2026 Schedule

A tightly packed schedule on January 10 promises non-stop action from start to finish, with junior races building up to the senior showdowns.

All times are local Eastern Time (ET) for the Tallahassee cross country course at Apalachee Regional Park:

Time (ET)	Race
09:45	Mixed Relay
10:20	U20 Women
10:55	U20 Men
11:35	Senior Women
12:20	Senior Men

World Cross Country Championships 2026 Venue

The 2026 championships take place at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee, one of the premier purpose-built cross country venues in the United States.

Apalachee Regional Park is a proven championship venue, having hosted multiple high-profile competitions including the NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships, the NCAA South Regionals, and numerous Florida state championships. Its reputation for delivering fair, fast, and well-organised races has made it a go-to destination for collegiate and national-level events.

Apalachee Regional Park has a strong record of producing fast championship performances, most notably at the 2021 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships, where Conner Mantz (USA) won the men's 10 km title in 28:33.1. The venue has also delivered rapid times at multiple NCAA South Regionals and Florida State Championships, reinforcing its reputation as a course capable of supporting championship-level speed while still offering the natural terrain and elevation changes that define true cross country racing.

Cross Country Athletes to Watch at Tallahassee

The 2026 championships bring together a world-class field of distance runners, with defending champions, global medallists, and rising talents all poised to contend for podium places in Tallahassee.

Cross Country Female Runners to Watch

• Beatrice Chebet (KEN) - Reigning women's cross country champion. Chebet, a decorated Olympic and World Championship long-distance runner, won gold at the 2024 World Cross Country Championships in senior race, and senior team.
• Tsigay Gebreselama (ETH) - 2023 world cross silver medallist. Consistent and tough, Gebreselama bolsters Ethiopia's chances and will seize any opportunity if the favourites falter.
• Agnes Jebet Ngetich (KEN) - 2023 gold World Cross Country Championship medallist in the senior team, known for aggressive front-running. Ngetich will push the pace early and could lead Kenya's charge to the podium again.

Cross Country Male Runners to Watch

• Jacob Kiplimo (UGA) - Achieved gold at the 2024 World Cross Country Championships senior race and holds the world record in the half marathon.
• Joshua Cheptegei (UGA) - A former World Cross Country champion and world record holder in the 10,000m and 5000m, Cheptegei aims to reclaim cross country gold for Uganda with his unmatched speed and experience.
• Geoffrey Kamworor (KEN) - With 5 World Cross Country Championship golds across junior and senior race and team, Kamworor has proven his consistency on the field.
• Berihu Aregawi (ETH) - Ethiopia's rising talent who took silver and bronze at the 2024 World Cross Country Championships in senior race, and senior team respectively.

What's Cross Country Running?

Cross country running is an endurance discipline in which athletes race over natural terrain, navigating grass, dirt, hills, and varied surfaces. It is one of athletics' most traditional formats, combining individual performance with national team competition.

How Long Is Cross Country Running?

Cross country race distances vary by age group and competition level, but senior championship races are typically run over 10km in international events. U20 athletes compete over shorter distances, usually between 6 km and 8 km, as defined by World Athletics regulations.

What Is The Difference Between Cross Country And Track?

Cross country is raced on natural terrain, such as grass, dirt, and hills, while track events take place on a standardised 400m oval with consistent surfaces and conditions. Track prioritises controlled pacing and precision, whereas cross country demands adaptability to changing terrain, elevation, and weather.

How Is Cross Country Scored?

World Athletics Cross Country Championships team races are scored by adding together the finishing positions of the team's top runners, with the lowest total winning.

Cross Country Running World Records

Cross country has no official world records because courses differ, but Championship Best Performances provide useful benchmarks. In today's 10 km format, winning times usually fall around 28:00-30:00 for men and 31:00-34:00 for women.

Major Cross Country Events Around the World

The global cross country calendar is defined by several premier events that showcase elite talent and set the competitive standard for the season.

• World Athletics Cross Country Championships - Held every two years, typically in February or March; the pinnacle event featuring senior, U20, and mixed relay competitions.
• European Cross Country Championships - Staged annually in December, bringing together Europe's strongest senior, U23, and U20 athletes.
• World Athletics Cross Country Tour (Gold Level) - A series of elite international meets held from September to March, serving as part of the qualification pathway for the Olympic 10,000m.
• African Cross Country Championships - Held biennially, often in February/ March, featuring dominant distance-running nations including Kenya, and Ethiopia.
• NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships (USA) - Conducted annually in November, recognised as the world's most competitive collegiate cross country meet.

Watch Athletics Events Live & On Demand on Eurovision Sport

If you want to continue following the world's best runners beyond Tallahassee, you can explore a wide range of additional events free on Eurovision Sport (subject to broadcast restrictions). Fans can replay highlights, full races, and exclusive features from major competitions, including:

• European Cross Country Championships
• TransJeju by UTMB
• Run GP
• HOKA Kodiak Ultra Marathons by UTMB
• World Athletics Tokyo 2025

All events are available to stream on demand, giving you year-round access to elite racing across cross country, road, trail, and track disciplines.