World Cross Country Championships Tallahassee 26 to Feature 485 Athletes from 52 Nations, Including Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, January 6, 2026 (FMC) — The official entry lists for the 46th World Athletics Cross Country Championships, set to take place on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee, Florida, have been released.

A total of 485 athletes from 52 national federations are confirmed to participate in the senior, under-20, and mixed relay events, reflecting the global reach and competitive strength of the championships.

Ethiopia will be represented by top distance runners, including Berihu Aregawi, the Olympic 10,000m silver medallist and two-time runner-up at previous championships, as well as Senayet Getachew, who has recently moved from under-20 to senior competition.

The Ethiopian delegation also includes promising young talent such as 17-year-old Marta Alemayo, the defending under-20 champion, expected to contend strongly in her category.

Kenya’s athletes will also compete prominently, with Agnes Ngetich, the world 10km record-holder returning after a three-year absence, and Maurine Chebor, winner of the national trials, among the senior women’s entrants. Kenyan runners will also feature in the mixed relay event, aiming to defend their title from the previous championships with athletes including Reynold Cheruiyot, Purity Chepkirui, and Kyumbe Munguti. Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo, the defending senior men’s champion and winner of the previous two editions, will seek a third consecutive title, while Sarah Chelangat is set to compete in the senior women’s race.

Other leading international competitors include Jimmy Gressier of France, Thierry Ndikumwenayo of Spain, and Daniel Ebenyo of Kenya, who bring extensive experience in global distance running.

The championships will feature senior individual races, under-20 competitions, and a mixed relay, bringing together the world’s top athletes across all categories. Organizers have confirmed that final start lists will be released on the eve of competition to accommodate last-minute changes and confirmations.

The 2026 World Cross Country Championships mark the return of the event to the United States for the first time in over three decades. With strong representation from Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, and other nations, the championships are expected to deliver highly competitive races and showcase emerging talent alongside established international stars.