The World XC Championships return to the U.S. for the first time since 1992, with Saturday’s races in Tallahassee offering a chance to reignite global attention on the best distance runners in the world.
How to watch: The races will be broadcast on Peacock (starting at 9:35 a.m.) and will be televised on CNBC (starting at 10 a.m. ET)
Schedule (All times ET):
9:45 a.m. – Mixed 4x2K Relay
10:20 a.m. – Women’s U20 6K Race
10:55 a.m. – Men’s U20 8K Race
11:35 a.m. – Women’s Senior 10K Race
12:20 p.m. – Men’s Senior 10K Race
Read our full race preview here: https://citiusmag.com/articles/world-cross-country-championships-2026-preview
🌀 Mixed Relay Preview
Favorites: Kenya 🇰🇪 w/ Reynold Cheruiyot
Challengers:
🇦🇺 Australia (Jessica Hull, Olli Hoare)
🇫🇷 France (Agathe Guillemot)
🇺🇸 USA (Sage Hurta-Klecker, Ethan Strand)
🇲🇦 Morocco's NCAA stars
💡 Kenya has won 3 of 4 editions since 2017.
👟 Senior Women’s Race
📉 Star Power Dip: No Beatrice Chebet (pregnancy), no Olympic or World medalists from 5000m/10,000m entered.
Top Teams:
🇰🇪 Kenya: Agnes Ngetich leads (14:01/28:46 PBs); Maurine Chebor debuts
🇪🇹 Ethiopia: Loaded with U20 grads like Senayet Getachew, Asayech Ayichew
🇺🇬 Uganda: Joy Cheptoyek, Sarah & Rebecca Chelangat return
🇺🇸 USA: Led by Weini Kelati; Schweizer, Kurgat, Izzo in the mix
💥 Wild cards: Megan Keith 🇬🇧, Lauren Ryan 🇦🇺
👟 Senior Men’s Race
📈 Deepest Field Post-COVID: 145 entrants
Title contenders:
🇺🇬 Jacob Kiplimo: Two-time champ, fresh off 2:02:23 marathon win
🇪🇹 Ethiopia: Berihu Aregawi + rising star Biniam Mehary
🇰🇪 Kenya: Daniel Ebenyo returns; Weldon Langat, Robert Koech support
🇫🇷 France: Jimmy Gressier headlines strong squad
🇺🇸 Team USA Outlook:
Potential for medal with Graham Blanks, Nico Young, Parker Wolfe, Rocky Hansen
U.S. last medaled in 2013 (silver)
Also watch:
🇿🇦 Adriaan Wildschutt
🇦🇺 Ky Robinson, Morgan McDonald
🇨🇦 Mo Ahmed
🇪🇸 Thierry Ndikumwenayo (2024 Euro XC champ)
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