Kenya aim to extend World Cross Country Champs stranglehold in USA

World half marathon silver medallist Daniel Ebenyo headlines a formidable Kenyan squad as the country targets a third consecutive team title in what promises to be one of the fiercest distance races of the season.

Fresh from a commanding display at the national trials, Ebenyo anchors a balanced and battle-hardened unit built for sustained pressure and championship racing — traits that have long defined Kenya’s cross-country dominance.

The 30-year-old leads a cast that includes rising star Ishmael Rokitto alongside Edwin Bett, Robert Koech, Weldon Langat, Shadrack Koech, Denis Kemboi and Kevin Chesang, forming a strong eight-man contingent for the senior men’s 10km race.

Ebenyo, the 2023 World 10,000m silver medallist and also a global silver medallist on the roads, will be eager to return to winning ways after missing both the Paris Olympics and the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo.

“Preparations have been good. I’m happy to be back and I’m going for the win, but as a team we carry the Kenyan spirit,” said Ebenyo.

Team coach Japhet Kemei echoed that confidence, saying preparations have been deliberate and focused.

“The team understands what is at stake. The boys are healthy, motivated and mentally prepared. Cross country is about teamwork and we believe this group can rise to the occasion,” Kemei said.

Kenya last celebrated an individual senior men’s world cross-country champion in 2017 in Kampala, when Geoffrey Kamworor stormed to gold in 28mins 24secs ahead of compatriot Leonard Barsoton (28:36) and Ethiopia’s Abadi Hadis (28:43).

This time, Kenya’s biggest threats are expected to come from usual suspects — Uganda and Ethiopia.

Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo arrives chasing history, aiming to become only the fourth man to win three consecutive world cross-country titles a feat previously achieved by John Ngugi, Paul Tergat both from Kenya and Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia.

The reigning champion has not raced since his record-breaking Chicago Marathon victory, a factor that could work in his favour on the demanding Tallahassee course.

Kiplimo claimed the 2024 title in Belgrade in 28:09 ahead of Berihu Aregawi (28:12), with Kenya’s Benson Kiplangat settling for bronze in 28:14.

Ethiopia counters once again with Aregawi, a two-time silver medallist behind Kiplimo and still searching for his first global gold.

He is backed by a deep supporting cast including Bereket Nega, Tadese Worku and Hagos Eyob, giving Ethiopia strong team credentials.

While much of the global spotlight will focus on the Kiplimo–Aregawi rivalry, Kenya’s strength lies in numbers and collective execution.

With the Tallahassee course expected to reward strength as much as speed, Kenya’s ability to apply relentless pressure in the closing stages could once again prove decisive.

Elsewhere, a strong international field includes France’s Jimmy Gressier, Spain’s Thierry Ndikumwenayo, Canada’s Moh Ahmed and South Africa’s Adriaan Wildschutt, underlining the depth and quality of the race.

Defending champions Kenya will be vying for a fourth title in the mixed relay.

Kenya has won all but one title in this discipline since it was introduced to the World Cross in 2017.

Reynold Cheruiyot, Kyumbe Munguti and Purity Chepkirui formed three-quarters of Kenya’s victorious team in 2024 and will be back in action in Florida, keen to add another gold medal.

Cheruiyot, the world 1500m bronze medallist, won the National’s 2km trial race in October, finishing ahead of Munguti, who also claimed mixed relay gold for Kenya in 2023.

Chepkirui, the 2021 world U20 1500m champion, was a convincing winner of the women’s trial race. Winfred Mbithe, who won mixed relay gold in 2017 and bronze in 2019, is also part of the squad, as she gears up for a strong comeback following maternity break.

Ethiopia, winners in 2019, remain the only other nation to have claimed a world cross-country mixed relay title.

Although their squad has been affected by visa issues, they have assembled a competitive line-up that includes 2022 world indoor 1500m bronze medallist Hirut Meshesha, African 10,000m bronze medallist Gela Hambese and 2021 world U20 1500m silver medallist Wegene Adisu.

Two of the athletes who helped Australia claim bronze on home soil in Bathurst three years ago – Olympic 1500m silver medallist Jessica Hull and Commonwealth 1500m champion Ollie Hoare – return for relay duty as part of a full-strength team. Linden Hall, Sarah Billings and Jack Anstey complete Australia’s relay pool.

Great Britain and Northern Ireland, bronze medallists two years ago in Belgrade, have also named several returning members. Thomas Keen, Adam Fogg and Alexandra Millard – all of whom stood on the podium in 2024 – are joined in the squad by world road mile silver medallist Callum Elson.

Sage Hurta-Klecker, who finished fifth in the 800m at last year’s World Championships, is the stand-out name on the US team. The host nation will also be represented by NCAA indoor 3000m champion Ethan Strand.

Other contenders include 2019 silver medallists Morocco, whose team features national indoor 3000m record-holder Enass Essayi and 2023 NCAA indoor 3000m champion Fouad Messaoudi, along with a French team led by European indoor 1500m champion Agathe Guillemot.