The World Cross Country Championships return to U.S. soil for the first time in over 30 years, and the stage couldn’t be better: Florida’s Apalachee Regional Park. On 10 January 2026 the planet’s top squads will tackle a fast yet demanding natural circuit in five races that will decide who rules the grass and mud. This piece covers the detailed timetable, the athletes to watch, the Spanish team’s line‑up and practical advice if you’re tempted to try cross country yourself. You’ll also learn how the SnapRace app helps you follow the championships and improve your own training.
Event schedule
The entire championship takes place on a single day. All times below are Eastern Time (ET). The action begins with the mixed relay, moves on to the under‑20 races and finishes with the 10 km senior showdowns:
- 9:45 AM – Mixed relay. Two men and two women per team take turns over a fast 2 km circuit.
- 10:20 AM – U20 women (6 km). The top junior women tackle a demanding medium‑length course.
- 10:55 AM – U20 men (8 km). The junior men add two extra laps before the finish.
- 11:35 AM – Senior women (10 km). This is where Kenya and Ethiopia’s stars come into play.
- 12:20 PM – Senior men (10 km). The main event: 10 kilometres of hills, grass and mud.
- 1:00 PM – Medal ceremony for all categories.
After the elite races, the Worlds Fun Run welcomes local runners with 2 km and 4 km events for youth, high‑school athletes and the community. It’s a great way to soak up the world‑championship atmosphere if you happen to be in Tallahassee.
The venue: Apalachee Regional Park
The 2026 worlds will unfold at Apalachee Regional Park, a purpose‑built cross‑country venue that has hosted NCAA championships and U.S. national meets. Its reputation comes from a balanced course: long straightaways for rhythm, gentle hills and varied terrain. When Conner Mantz won the 2021 NCAA Division I championships here, he covered 10 km in 28:33, proof that the grass can be very fast when your legs are ready.
The Tallahassee circuit also offers an excellent spectator experience: natural mounds give you multiple viewing points, and there are fan zones and refreshment areas. If you’re travelling from abroad, check out Eurovision Sport’s event guide for streaming schedules and logistical details.
Athletes to watch
Women’s favourites
Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet, the Olympic 5,000 m champion and 2024 world cross‑country winner, arrives as the woman to beat. Close behind is Ethiopia’s Tsigay Gebreselama, a perennial medallist with silver in 2023 and bronze in 2024. Agnes Jebet Ngetich, also from Kenya, is known for pushing from the gun and leading her team to gold; expect her to animate the early kilometres.
Men’s favourites
Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo is chasing a third consecutive world title and holds the half‑marathon world record. His compatriot Joshua Cheptegei, the 5,000 m and 10,000 m world record holder and 2019 cross‑country champion, wants to regain the crown. Kenya’s seasoned Geoffrey Kamworor brings five world cross gold medals across individual and team events, while Ethiopia’s rising star Berihu Aregawi —silver medallist in 2024— looks ready for a breakthrough.
Team Spain: youth and experience
Spain travels to Tallahassee with a mix of seasoned runners and promising youngsters. In the senior men’s race, Thierry Ndikumwenayo —fresh off his European cross‑country title— leads a squad that also features Abdessamad Oukhelfen, Aarón Las Heras and debutant Jaime Migallón. On the women’s side, María Forero, Spain’s most decorated cross‑country athlete with seven European medals, makes her world‑championship debut alongside Carolina Robles, Idaira Prieto and Ángela Viciosa. Spain is also fielding full U20 teams; names like Alejandro Ibáñez, Xavi Cabanilles, Mara Rolli and others reflect the depth of emerging talent, as reported by the Royal Spanish Athletics Federation.
What makes cross country special?
Cross‑country running takes athletes off the track and onto natural terrain: grass, dirt, hills and sometimes mud. Unlike the standardised oval of a track, every cross course is unique, forcing runners to adapt to elevation changes and varying footing. Distances vary by category; senior races at world level are 10 km, while U20 races span 6 km (women) and 8 km (men). There are no official world records because courses differ, but championship‑winning times typically fall between 28:00–30:00 for men and 31:00–34:00 for women.
Team scoring adds another layer: countries tally the finishing positions of their top runners (usually the first four in the senior races), and the lowest total wins. This blend of collective and individual effort, combined with unpredictable terrain and weather, is what makes cross country so compelling for runners and spectators alike.
Training and racing tips for cross country
If you’re planning to tackle a cross‑country race or simply want to sharpen your winter training, these suggestions from coaches and seasoned cross runners will help:
- Choose the right shoes. Wear cross‑country spikes or trail shoes with aggressive outsoles. On firm courses, 9 mm spikes suffice; in deep mud go for 12–15 mm.
- Know the course. Arrive early to walk or jog the loop. You’ll pick the appropriate spike length and identify where to push or conserve energy.
- Practice fast starts. Cross races often explode off the line. Include 300–400 m bursts at the beginning of interval sessions to accustom your body to sudden effort.
- Train on similar terrain. Mimic the course profile in your runs: hills, bends and uneven ground. Fartlek sessions on grass with ups and downs are ideal.
- Tape your shoes. On muddy days, wrap strong tape around your shoes after tying the laces to prevent losing a shoe mid‑race.
- Warm up smart. Don’t burn energy on the toughest sections during your warm‑up. If the ground is soaked, warm up partially on firm roads or paths.
- Race by feel. Forget about pace: times vary wildly. Gauge your effort and your position relative to the field.
- Work the hills. Don’t ease up at the top of a climb. Use the crest to break away. On descents, lean slightly forward and let gravity assist you.
- Bring extra gear and fuel. Cross takes place in winter and open fields. Dry clothing, a hot drink and some food are essential after the race.
And remember: recovery matters as much as the miles. Check out our piece on how sleep affects running performance to maximise your gains.
Experience the worlds with SnapRace
The World Cross Country Championships are a treat for fans, but they can also inspire your own season. With the SnapRace app you can:
- Follow news and results from your favourite races, including cross and road events.
- Log your training with GPS and share it with the community.
- Access customised training plans for 5K, 10K and half‑marathon, and add strength or trail sessions.
- Join virtual challenges and competitions, tracking your progress in real time.
Download SnapRace on your phone, create a challenge with friends and enjoy the world‑championship buzz together. Who knows? Next year it might be you sprinting over the grass at Apalachee Regional Park.