Athletics Kenya unveiled a formidable 35-member squad on October 25, 2025, at Eldoret Sports Club, charged with a singular mission: to defend the nation’s storied legacy at the World Cross Country Championships.
It is a responsibility that sits heavily on Kenyan shoulders with distance running woven into the country’s sporting DNA, where the nation has long set the gold standard on track, road and over unforgiving cross-country terrain.
That heritage is etched deeply into the annals of the World Cross Country Championships, where Kenya towers over the rest.
In the senior men’s 10km race alone, the nation boasts an astonishing 35 medals (26 gold, five silver and four bronze), leaving traditional rivals Ethiopia (30) and England (nine) trailing in its wake.
Further, Kenyan greats Paul Tergat and John Ngugi have etched their names into the cross-country books, having won a record five global titles.
Tergat was triumphant from 1995 to 1999, with Ngugi dominating from 1986 to 1989 before adding another crown in 1992.
On the women’s side, Kenya’s dominance has been even more emphatic.
The senior women’s race has been firmly under Kenyan control for 15 straight years, stretching from the 2009 edition in Amman, Jordan, through to the 2024 championships in Belgrade, Serbia. That golden run was ignited by Florence Kiplagat and sustained by a glittering lineage of champions.
Among them was the late Agnes Tirop, who conquered the world in Guiyang, China, in 2015, and double world record holder Beatrice Chebet, whose back-to-back triumphs in 2023 and 2024 cemented her place among the greats.
The junior ranks have also seen dominance from Kenya, with some of the nation’s greats leaving their marks.
Two-time Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge claimed the junior men’s crown in 2003 Lausanne, Switzerland while quadruple 1,500m world champion Faith Kipyegon sealed back-to-back titles in the junior women’s race in Punta Umbria, Spain, in 2011 and Bydgoszcz, Poland, in 2013.
As the global caravan now shifts to Tallahassee, Florida, on Saturday, Kenya arrives as the overall defending champions, having topped the medals table in Belgrade with a haul of 11 medals (six gold, two silver and three bronze).
It was a familiar script, echoing their dominance in Bathurst, Australia, in 2023, where they again finished top with 10 medals (six gold, two silver and two bronze).
Leading the women’s senior 10km charge in Tallahassee will be world 10km record holder Agnes Ng’etich, ably flanked by a red-hot supporting cast that includes Maurine Chebor, Brenda Kenei, Rebecca Mwangi, Caren Chebet and Joyline Jepkemoi.
In the men’s senior race, Kenya will look to 2023 World 10,000m silver medallist Daniel Ebenyo to spearhead the assault.
He will be joined by an eager blend of youth and experience, including Ishmael Rokitto, Edwin Bett, Robert Koech, Weldon Langat, Shadrack Koech, Denis Kemboi and Kevin Chesang.
The U-20 women’s 6km contest will be anchored by Cynthia Chepkirui, supported by Mirriam Kibet, Lonah Cherono, Mercy Mageso, Caren Chepng’eno, Mercy Jelimo and Joan Chepkirui.
On the men’s side, the 8km U-20 race will be led by World U-20 5,000m champion Andrew Alamisi, joined by Emmanuel Kipkorir, Frankline Kibet, Edwin Elkana, Kevin Biwott, Andrew Kiptoo and Brian Kandie.
Kenya’s mixed relay squad is equally loaded, featuring World 1,500m bronze medallist Reynold Cheruiyot, Winfred Mbithe, Daniel Munguti, Purity Chepkirui, David Toroitich and Judy Kemunto.
However, the Florida showdown promises intense battles over all categories, with Kenyan athletes bracing for fierce battles against the world’s elite.
In the senior men’s race, Ebenyo is set to lock horns with defending champion Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda and Olympic 10,000m silver medallist Berihu Aregawi of Ethiopia, while the host nation will rally behind 2024 NCAA 5,000m silver medallist Nico Young.
In the women’s senior contest, Ng’etich faces stiff resistance from a strong Ugandan contingent led by Rebecca Chelangat.
The U-20 women’s race will see Cynthia Chepkirui square off against defending champion Marta Alemayo of Ethiopia.
Kenya’s preparation, as ever, has been meticulous. The team undertook a month-long high-intensity camp at St Mark’s Teachers College in Kigari, Embu, chosen specifically for its climatic similarities to Florida, before shifting base to Nairobi’s Windsor Hotel ahead of departure.
In a telling show of commitment, the squad sacrificed Christmas and New Year festivities to remain in camp, a decision Athletics Kenya President Jackson Tuwei hailed as a mark of unwavering resolve.
“We thought the team would want to go home to be with their families during Christmas and New Year festivities. However, you dedicated yourselves to training, and that shows you are serious about this championship,” Tuwei, who also serves as World Athletics Vice President, said.
Tuwei reminded the athletes that, as defending champions, Kenyan athletes will have a target on their backs in Tallahassee.
“We are the defending overall champions. This is a young team, and I am confident you will give your very best in Florida,” he said. “We wish you all the best as you go out there to represent Kenya.”
Athletics Kenya’s chair of youth development, Barnaba Korir, echoed that confidence, backing the squad to once again deliver on the world stage.
“Kenya will be going out to defend the title we won in Belgrade last year. I am confident this young group of athletes will deliver good results,” Korir said.
Yet beneath the optimism lies a lingering concern, particularly in the men’s camp. Kenya have not won the senior men’s individual title since Geoffrey Kamworor’s triumph in Kampala in 2017. Since then, Uganda’s distance juggernauts have seized control.
Joshua Cheptegei lit the fuse with victory in Aarhus in 2019 before completing a historic double in Bathurst in 2023.
In Belgrade last year, it was Jacob Kiplimo who stood atop the podium. Despite the drought, Kenya remains bullish, with coach Patrick Ivuti optimistic that the current crop has the pedigree and preparation to reclaim the crown.
“I know this time round, with this team, we have the potential to bring back the medal just like in 2017,” Ivuti said. “The training and cooperation from the athletes have been good. We have high hopes.”
Kenyan’s main man in Tallahassee, Ebenyo, shares that belief, convinced Saturday could mark the moment Kenya reasserts its grip on the men’s title.
“I am praying to get a medal in Florida,” he told The Star, his confidence measured rather than boastful. He credits Chief Coach Julius Kirwa for sharpening his mindset.
“I am very excited to go to Florida. The Chief Coach, Julius Kirwa, has been encouraging me. He told me this is the chance to go for glory,” said Simiu. “I am praying that everything aligns and goes as planned,” he added.
In the women’s ranks, Maurine Chebor arrives brimming with belief as she targets her first global medal. “Individually, I will go to Florida to fight and come back home with a medal,” she said.
She, however, acknowledged the nerves that come with a maiden global appearance.
“Because it’s my first-ever championship, there will be that factor of tension, but I will have to fight for good results,” she said.
Chebor will be drawing confidence from the intensive preparations in Kigari, coupled with her consistent form throughout the 2025 campaign.
“We have prepared well, and we are ready and confident to go and fight to defend our team title as well as the individual title,” she added.
“We thank the coaches for their guidance and for pushing us.”
Her confidence is further rooted in a stellar 2025 campaign. Her season began with a strong statement at the National Cross Country Championships on February 8, where she finished second in 34:33. She then conquered the roads, storming to victory at the Nijmegen 5km road race in 15:01 before claiming third place at the Tokyo 5km road race in a swift 14:40.
Chebor later switched gears to the track, finishing second over 5,000m at the Kip Keino Classic in 15:14.57, before clocking 15:00.09 for third place at the FAST5000 in Laffitte, France.
On October 25, she was in imperious form in Eldoret, punching her ticket to Florida by winning the National Cross Country Championships in 34:17.
Caren Chebet, making only her second global appearance, is equally ambitious. “I am going to fight to ensure I make the podium. That is my biggest aim in Florida. I hope everything goes according to plan,” Chebet said.
Beyond individual glory, Chebet will also be hoping to play a pivotal role as Kenya bids to defend its women’s overall title. At the last edition of the World Cross Country Championships in Belgrade, Serbia, Kenya powered to the women’s team title with a low score of 10 points, finishing well clear of Ethiopia (41 points) and Uganda (44 points).
Team coach Isabella Ochichi revealed that preparations have been both mental and physical. “We have prepared the girls well and encouraged them so that they will not have any fear,” she said. “Judging from our preparations, we believe we will stand at the top.”
Ochichi also called on fans back home for support. “We hope you pray for us so that we can give our best.”
The U-20 squad is equally confident, with World U-20 5,000m champion Alamisi eyeing another global crown. “In 2024, I was the World U-20 5,000m champion. Now my main focus is on gold at the World Cross Country,” Alamisi said.
Despite his bullish outlook, the teenager remains clear-eyed about the depth of opposition lying in wait on the rolling Florida course. “It will be a tough competition because Uganda, Ethiopia and other European nations are there.”
Still, Alamisi believes his current condition places him firmly in pole position for a golden charge. “But looking at the way my body is responding, I am optimistic about my chances,” he added.
Kenya heads to Florida as defending U-20 champions, having swept individual and team honours in Belgrade. Alamisi believes the tradition can continue. “Our training has been going on well. We had hill work, speed work and good guidance from the coaches,” he said.
Men’s U-20 coach Daniel Gashara summed up the mood in camp succinctly: belief, confidence and hunger. “I am happy and positive that we have done our part. The boys are very confident and charged up, so we are confident we will defend our title, both the individual and the team title.”
The mixed relay battalion is also brimming with belief, with Munguti confident Kenya can extend its hold on the title.
For the past two editions, Bathurst 2023 and Belgrade 2024, Kenya has been undefeated in the mixed relay race.
"We are very confident that we will defend our title in Florida. The chemistry in the team at the moment is very high, and the morale and belief is there from all the athletes," Munguti said.
Comments 0
Sign in to join the conversation
Sign In Create AccountNo comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!