“I’ve only been here 24 hours, but I think a lot of my colleagues think this is the best cross-country course in the world,” Coe said Friday.
“I think it’s probably safe to say we’re in the capital of the United States, if not the world.”
With these words, there was a furious backlash from the world of social media, as many (some publicly and others anonymously) began to criticize Coe’s comments, wondering if his statements were those of a desperate cheerleader.
As we approached within a mile of the park entrance, the questions were answered.
Now that’s a water hazard. Just fly! The fans’ view, on the course, video World Cross Country, January 10, 2026, announced the crowd of 8,000 fans. The look of superfan Tony Gulotta. , video 4, #crosscountryrunning , #TonyGulotta, #Ethiopia, #Kenya, #runblogrun pic.twitter.com/bydXLmsYo2
— RunBlogRun (@RunBlogRun) January 11, 2026
YES TALLAHASSEE CAN CONFIRM YES AND YES THEY CAME.
Kilometers of traffic to enter the park was a prophetic message of big things to come as nearly 10,000 spectators jammed around the course’s challenging and uniquely designed obstacles to electrify and watch the world’s greatest distance runners battle for individual and team titles in this World XC Championship.
What about the convicts?
Sincerely, the Tallahassee Committee headed by Amanda Heidecker, Taylor Wheaton and Leon County leaders and staff besides Coe all “Talked The Talk.” Their effective leadership, involvement of key staff and agencies showed that it was the “Doers” rather than the “Speakers” who were behind the launch of this event. Again, with all due respect, if people want events like this to be able to go to another American city, by all means create a committee, fund it and surround yourself with “Doers”. Tallahassee covered all the bases on this one and can rightfully retain that title, again quoting Coe;The khachkar capital of the United States, if not the world.”
One issue is the status of future events. As the legendary XC Two-Time World Craig Virgin noted that the next Worlds XC is scheduled for 2029.
“I think if we wait three years, we’ll lose all the momentum we got from the meeting this year,” Virgin said.
“I counter that since Tallahassee has done all this work, next year’s World Cup should be held here again.”
“It gives them a second year to deal with it and I think it will benefit the sport and world athletics if they come back here for other world championships.”
A great idea in this writer’s humble opinion, as Tallahassee must rise to the challenge of maintaining their reputation as the “XC Capitol of the World.”
They certainly earned it this year.
