This is a view from Kenya. Justin Lagat, RBR’s senior writer in Kenya, wrote this piece remotely from the 2026 World Athletics Championships in Tallahassee. Thanks, Justin!
Agnes Ngetich and Jacob Kiplimo dominate performances at the 26th World Championships in Tallahassee by Justin Lagat for RunBlogRun
In two different versions, Agnes Ngetich of Kenya and: Uganda Jacob Kiplimo ran dominantly to win the world senior cross country titles on a beautiful and sunny day in Tallahassee, Florida.
Ngetic appeared keen to secure the win early in the race as he stayed in a small pack of three runners in the lead group for the first lap. Ethiopia’s Senayet Getachew and Asayech Ayichew and Uganda’s Joy Cheptoyek joined him for the first 2km run in 6:03.
Soon Ngetich was running alone at the front. He was 25 seconds ahead for 5km, 31 seconds for 6km, 35 seconds for 7km, 40 seconds for 8km going into the final lap. After the bell, he was down to 45 seconds at 9km, but the fight for silver behind him forced the nearest chaser to close the gap to three seconds.
Ngetic crossed the finish line in 31:28 as Cheptojek finished second in 32:10 ahead of Getachev in 32:13.
CultivationIn the senior men’s race, on the other hand, he stayed patient until the last lap before comfortably starting to stretch the gap and break away from Ethiopia’s Berihu Aregawi and Kenya’s Daniel Ebenyo.
2023, 2024 reigning champion easily widened the gap to successfully defend his title in a dominant fashion as he celebrated hundreds of meters from the finish line, where he crossed at 28:18. Aregavi followed with 28:36 while Ebenyo was happy with third place in 28:45.
TALLAHASSEE, USA – JANUARY 10: World Championships in Athletics Tallahassee 26 on January 10, 2026 in Tallahassee, Florida, USA. (Photo by Sergio Mateo Maria for World Athletics)
In An interesting medley relay A. started the day in the championshipThe Australian team of Oliver Hoare, Linden Hall, Jack Anstey and Jessica Hull took gold in 22:23. France won the silver in 22:26 and Ethiopia the bronze in 22:34.
In a similar version of the women’s senior race, the lead in the closing stages had only the shadow of a camera drone in the women’s under-20s. Marta Alemayowho was the defending champion, broke away from Kenya’s Cynthia Chepkirui and compatriot Vosana Asefa at the 4km mark and continued to extend her lead.
He won the 6km race in 18:52 ahead of Asefa’s 19:18. Uganda’s Charity Cherop overtook a fading Chepkirui in the final 200 meters of the race to take home the bronze medal.
Allahasi 26, 2026, Cross Country, World Championships, 10 January 2026.
Ethiopia fielded a team of only three runners in this race, but they finished in the top two.
If there was one race dominated by one nation, this was it men’s under-20 race. Three Kenyans Pulled away in the final lap of the men’s 8km race to stay ahead. The clean sweep of the podium by the Kenyans was evident even with 2km to go. If anyone had any worries that the pursuers would close the gap on them, fears were allayed by another Kenya following them.
Franklin Kibet led the Kenyans in 23:18. Emmanuel Kiprono followed at 23:20. Andrew Alamicis At 23:28, back Andrew Kiptu made it 1-2-3-4 Finish for Kenyans at 23:42.
