The 2024 World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Belgrade, Serbia has concluded this past Saturday. 

In the men’s and women’s senior events (10km), we witnessed a repeat of the 2023 WXC in Australia as the Ugandan athlete, Jacob Kiplimo cruised into the victory with a time of 28:09, joining an illustrious list of athletes to have successfully defended a world cross-country title.

In the women’s side, the 24 year-old, Beatrice Chebet from Kenya did the same thing as she successfully defended her senior women’s title against a very strong field with a time of 31.05.

The women’s U20 junior race (6km) was surprisingly dominated by Ethiopia as all three medals were won by athletes from Ethiopia with Marta Alemayo, taking the gold followed by Asayech Ayiche and Robe Dida who settled for silver and bronze respectively.

The men’s U20 junior race (8km) saw Samuel Kibathi from Kenya outkicking Mezgebu Sime from Ethiopia to secure the men’s U20 title.

In the mixed relay event, Kenya retained its mixed relay title with a dominant display. Ethiopia and Great Britain/ Northern Ireland settled for silver and bronze respectively.

Our national athletes (South Africa) competed in all events and in the senior 10km race, the first male to cross the finish line was Bennett Seloyi (position 21) and on the women’s side it was Kyla Jacobs (position 28).

In the mixed cross country relay, our national team came 9^th which is worst compared to our 4^th position in 2023 World Athletics Cross Country Championships, Bathurst, Australia.

Rico Leijenaar crossed the line first in the men’s U20 race (position 23). On the female side, Li-mari Dekker crossed the line first (position 31).

The full results can be found HERE.

It’s important to note that the WPA Cross Country Season is upon us. The first race will take place at the end of this month (28 April ).

Distance athletes, will use these WPA Cross Country Leagues to prepare for USSA Cross Country Championships later this year in Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha (14-15 September 2024).