Athletics Kenya has named a powerful 35-member team for the 46th edition of the World Cross Country Championships, set to take place on January 10 in Tallahassee, Florida, as the country targets another dominant performance on the global stage.
Kenya heads to the United States as the defending overall champions, having delivered a commanding display at the 2025 championships in Belgrade, Serbia, where the nation topped the medal table with an impressive 11 medals six gold, two silver and three bronze.
That triumph was highlighted by a masterclass from Beatrice Chebet, who stormed to gold in the senior women’s 10km race.
Kenya also swept the senior women’s and senior men’s team titles, underlining its unmatched depth in cross country running.
Further gold medals came from Samuel Kabathi in the men’s U-20 race, the men’s U-20 team, and the mixed relay, sealing a resounding overall victory.
The squad for the Florida showdown was selected during the National Cross Country Championships held on October 25, 2025, at Eldoret Sports Club, a traditional proving ground for Kenya’s distance running talent.
In the senior women’s 10km, Kenya will be led by world 10km record holder Agnes Ng’etich, whose blistering pace makes her a key figure in the title defence.
She will be backed by a strong supporting cast that includes Maurine Chebor, Brenda Kenei, Rebecca Mwangi, Caren Chebet and Joyline Jepkemoi.
The senior men’s race will see 2023 World 10,000m silver medallist Daniel Ebenyo spearhead the challenge.
Ebenyo will be joined by an experienced and youthful mix featuring Ishmael Rokitto, Edwin Bett, Robert Koech, Weldon Langat, Shadrack Koech, Denis Kemboi and Kevin Chesang.
In the junior ranks, Cynthia Chepkirui will lead the U-20 women’s 6km team alongside Mirriam Kibet, Lonah Cherono, Mercy Mageso, Caren Chepng’eno, Mercy Jelimo and Joan Chepkirui.
The U-20 men’s 8km race boasts World U-20 5,000m champion Andrew Alamisi, supported by Emmanuel Kipkorir, Frankline Kibet, Edwin Elkana, Kevin Biwott, Andrew Kiptoo and Brian Kandie.
The team is currently in a residential training camp in Nairobi, based at Sports View Hotel in Kasarani, before relocating to the Windsor Hotel on January 1 ahead of departure.
The Windsor Hotel has partnered with Athletics Kenya to provide a conducive environment for final preparations.
Travel arrangements have been finalised, with the team departing in two groups on January 5 and January 6, while visa processing is progressing smoothly.
Athletics Kenya president Jackson Tuwei has expressed confidence in the squad’s ability to rise to the occasion.
“We are the defending overall champions. This is a young team, and I am confident you will give your very best in Florida,” Tuwei said. “We wish you all the best as you represent Kenya.”
With a blend of proven champions and exciting young talent, Kenya once again looks well placed to assert its dominance on the world cross country stage.
