<p>With seven global competitions taking place this year, there are plenty of things to get excited about in 2026. Here are just 10 of the many things to look forward to in the coming months.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>World Athletics Ultimate Championship</h2>
<p>The year 2026 introduces a new pinnacle moment on the global calendar. The World Athletics Ultimate Championship will bring the sport&rsquo;s biggest stars together in a high-stakes, head-to-head format that rewards excellence across a full season. With huge prize money and the very best athletes competing at the same time, it represents a bold new chapter in how athletics presents itself to the world.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>World Athletics Cross Country Championships Tallahassee 26</h2>
<p>The sport&rsquo;s fans needn&rsquo;t wait too long before the first World Athletics Series event of 2026 takes place. In just nine days&rsquo; time, the World Athletics Cross Country Championships will once again unite track stars, road runners and emerging talents on a single, demanding course &ndash; celebrating endurance, resilience and the shared global language of running. Few events capture the sport&rsquo;s roots quite like cross country.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>More record-breaking action on the horizon</h2>
<p>When boundaries move, athletics follows. Few exemplify this better than World Athletics Athlete of the Year Mondo Duplantis, who continues to redefine what is possible in the pole vault. As records fall with increasing regularity, 2026 invites a tantalising question: just how high can the bar go? Don&rsquo;t be surprised to see world records tumble in other disciplines throughout the season too.</p>
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/692d9b6e293949b21e87e588.jpg" alt="Mondo Duplantis in Diamond League action" />
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<p style="font-size: 0.9em; color: #b2b2b2; text-align: right; margin: -15px 0 0px;">Mondo Duplantis in Diamond League action (&copy; Marta Gorczynska / Diamond League AG)</p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>World Athletics Indoor Championships Kujawy Pomorze 26</h2>
<p>For the third year in a row, the World Indoor Championships will showcase speed, power and technical brilliance in its purest form. From explosive sprints to tactical middle-distance races and dramatic field events, the Arena Torun in the Kujawy Pomorze region of Poland promised to deliver world-class performances and unforgettable moments.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>World Athletics Relays Gaborone 26</h2>
<p>Botswana will host this year&rsquo;s edition of the World Athletics Relays off the back of their triumph in the men&rsquo;s 4x400m at last year&rsquo;s World Championships. Expect all the national pride, raw emotion and edge-of-the-seat drama that previous editions have witnessed.</p>
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/68cfe23b8a4f660180374fdc.JPG" alt="Botswana's Collen Kebinatshipi pips USA and South Africa to the world 4x400m title in Tokyo" />
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<p style="font-size: 0.9em; color: #b2b2b2; text-align: right; margin: -15px 0 0px;">Botswana's Collen Kebinatshipi pips USA and South Africa to the world 4x400m title in Tokyo (&copy; World Athletics <img style="width: 16px; vertical-align: middle; display: inline;" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,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" alt="photographer icon" /> Diogo Cardoso)</p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Rivalries that keep delivering</h2>
<p>Great rivalries are the heartbeat of sport, and athletics has no shortage. The distance-running duel between Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet could continue in 2026, perhaps with a joint attack on the long-standing world 3000m record. Newly crowned world 100m champion Oblique Seville will be keen to maintain his edge over Olympic champion Noah Lyles. And it will be fascinating to see how Femke Bol fares at her new distance of 800m, especially if she takes on Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>World Athletics Road Running Championships Copenhagen 26</h2>
<p>Road running remains one of the sport&rsquo;s most accessible and fastest-growing frontiers. This year&rsquo;s World Road Running Championships brings elite competition to iconic streets, blending championship intensity with the mass-participation spirit that connects the professional sport to millions of runners worldwide.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>World Athletics U20 Championships Oregon 26</h2>
<p>Few events offer a clearer glimpse into the future. Hosted once again at Eugene&rsquo;s Hayward Field, the World Athletics U20 Championships provide a proven launch pad for tomorrow&rsquo;s global stars. History shows that today&rsquo;s junior champions are often tomorrow&rsquo;s Olympic and world medallists &ndash; and 2026 will be no different.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Caixa World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships Brasilia 26</h2>
<p>Precision meets endurance at the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships. This will be the first global competition featuring the new standard race walking distances of the half marathon and marathon, which could bring with it a few surprises.</p>
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6877c8cc2b21bf3871c0d230.jpg" alt="Action at the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships in Antalya" />
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<p style="font-size: 0.9em; color: #b2b2b2; text-align: right; margin: -15px 0 0px;">Action at the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships in Antalya (&copy; World Athletics <img style="width: 16px; vertical-align: middle; display: inline;" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,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" alt="photographer icon" /> Sergio Mateo)</p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>A global season powered by one-day meetings</h2>
<p>In the absence of a World Championships or Olympic Games, the international one-day circuit takes on added significance in 2026. The Diamond League and Continental Tour Gold series anchor a truly global season, rewarding consistency, encouraging head-to-head racing and allowing storylines to build week by week across continents. Aside from one-day meets, there's also major events such as the European Championships and Commonwealth Games that will provide much excitement and intrigue during a busy season.</p>

With seven global competitions taking place this year, there are plenty of things to get excited about in 2026. Here are just 10 of the many things to look forward to in the coming months.

10 things to look forward to in 2026

<p>Ethiopia&rsquo;s Likina Amebaw moved to joint fifth on the world all-time list and Jose Carlos Pinto won in a Portuguese record at the 5km Cursa dels Nassos, a <strong>World Athletics Label </strong>event, held in Barcelona on Wednesday (31).</p>
<p>The women&rsquo;s contest was jointly held with the men&rsquo;s race and it witnessed a solo run by Amebaw. Racing in pleasant conditions, Amebaw became a lonesome leader from the start. She covered the opening kilometre in a cautious 2:58, while France&rsquo;s European indoor 1500m champion Agathe Guillemot and Great Britain&rsquo;s world indoor 800m silver medallist Jemma Reekie travelled together a couple of seconds back. Amebaw increased her pace and covered the following kilometres in around 2:50 pace to go through the 3km checkpoint in 8:39, well ahead of Guillemot and Reekie (9:03).</p>
<p>Over the closing kilometres, the Spain-based Ethiopian maintained her brisk speed to finish in 14:23 &ndash; a 10-second improvement on her PB set in Monaco in February, achieving the world&rsquo;s second-quickest performance of 2025 and a time that elevates her to equal fifth on the all-time list.</p>
<p>&ldquo;I was boxed over the first kilometre and I couldn&rsquo;t run faster than 2:58. I think that prevented me from breaking the Ethiopian record of 14:19,&rdquo; explained Amebaw.</p>
<p>The men&rsquo;s contest had been billed as an assault on Jimmy Gressier&rsquo;s European record of 12:57 by Spain&rsquo;s European cross country champion Thierry Ndikumwenayo. Paced by his training partner Ciro Martin, the 28-year-old European 10,000m bronze medallist reached the opening kilometres in 2:36 (1km) and 5:12 (2km), on schedule to make a serious attempt on the record. By then, only Pinto and Norway&rsquo;s Magnus Tuv Myhre could keep up with the Spaniard. It was when the clock read 6:50 that Pinto, a 3:31.94 1500m specialist, left Ndikumwenayo and Myhre behind before reaching 3km in 7:49 to the 7:53 by his rivals.</p>
<p>Over the closing kilometres, the 28-year-old Portuguese athlete maintained his swift rhythm to finally cross the finish line in a huge lifetime best and national record of 13:10, while Myhre was runner-up in a career best of 13:13. The pre-race favourite Ndikumwenayo had to settle for third in 13:33.</p>
<p>&ldquo;I knew I was in great shape, so I&rsquo;m not surprised by my win,&rdquo; said Pinto. &ldquo;I had visited Barcelona several times to compete on the track but today I have discovered the city has a perfect and quick circuit for 5km races. I&rsquo;ll next compete at the Valencia 10km on 11 January where I would like to smash my PB of 27:53 and clock 27:20.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Leading results</h3>
<p><strong>Women</strong><br />1&nbsp;Likina Amebaw (ETH)&nbsp;14:23<br />2&nbsp;Agathe Guillemot (FRA) 15:04<br />3 Jemma Reekie (GBR) 15:21<br />4 Alondra Negron (PUR) 15:32<br />5 Almi Nerurkar (GBR) 15:35</p>
<p><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;"><strong>Men</strong><br /></span>1 Jose Carlos Pinto (POR) 13:10<br />2&nbsp;Magnus Tuv Myhre (NOR) 13:13<br />3&nbsp;Thierry Ndikumwenayo (ESP) 13:22<br />4 Anas Lagtiy Chaoudar (FRA) 13:33<br />5 Kieran Lumb (CAN) 13:36</p>
<p><a href="https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-label-road-races/calendar-results/7236389/result" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Results</a><br /><br /></p>
<h2>Kamworor and Garcia reign in Madrid</h2>
<p>Kenya&rsquo;s Geoffrey Kamworor and Spain&rsquo;s Marta Garcia captured victory at the San Silvestre Vallecana, a <strong>World Athletics Elite Label </strong>event, held in Madrid on Wednesday (31).</p>
<p>The men&rsquo;s contest saw the early lead of the three-time world half marathon champion Kamworor, closely followed by a trio of Spaniards: Aaron Las Heras, Jesus Ramos and Nassim Haasous. That quartet covered the opening downhill 3km in 8:06 and shortly after the fourth kilometre, first Hassaous and then Las Heras ceded ground while Kamworor and a brave Ramos remained at the helm to record 13:28 by halfway.</p>
<p>Ramos&rsquo;s resistance came to an end some 19 minutes into the race when he simply could not follow the two-time world cross country champion&rsquo;s brisk pace. From then on, the 33-year-old Kamworor extended his lead to finish in 27:42, 15 seconds clear of the 29-year-old Spaniard, while Las Heras completed the podium thanks to a 28:01 performance.</p>
<p>The women&rsquo;s race featured two of the finest European distance runners: Garcia and Diane van Es of the Netherlands. The pair travelled together for much of the race, sandwiched between a large group of male athletes. The world 5000m seventh-place finisher Garcia and the European 10,000m silver medallist Van Es went through halfway in 15:13, while the Spanish 10km record-holder Carla Gallardo and Finland&rsquo;s Nathalie Blomqvist ran seven seconds in arrears.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The fierce fight between Garcia and Van Es continued over the second half, the Spaniard always leading the way and the Dutch athlete one step back. The key move came some 800m from home when Garcia managed to open a shy advantage over Van Es. By the time they entered the Rayo Vallecano stadium pitch, the defending champion Garcia had already decided the contest in her favour, clocking 31:12 to Van Es&rsquo;s 31:19, while Gallardo secured third place in 30:26, clearly ahead of Blomqvist (31:57).</p>
<p><strong>Emeterio Valiente for World Athletics</strong></p>
<h3>Leading results</h3>
<p><strong>Women<br /></strong>1&nbsp;<span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">Marta Garcia (ESP) 31:12<br />2&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">Diane van Es (NED) 31:19<br />3&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">Carla Gallardo (ESP) 31:26<br />4&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">Nathalie Blomqvist (FIN) 31:57<br />5 Fatima Azzahraa Ouhaddou Nafie (ESP) 32:01</span></p>
<p><strong>Men</strong><br />1&nbsp;Geoffrey Kamworor (KEN) 27:42<br />2 Jesus Ramos (ESP) 27:57<br />3 Aaron Las Heras (ESP) 28:01<br />4 Urgessa Negassa (ETH) 28:16<br />5 Carlos Mayo (ESP) 28:20</p>
<p><a href="https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-label-road-races/calendar-results/7221898/result" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Results</a><br /><br /></p>
<h2>Kejelcha sets record, Battocletti does hat-trick in Bolzano</h2>
<p>Yomif Kejelcha ran a course record of 27:42, while Nadia Battocletti secured her third successive victory at the <span lang="DE">BOclassic Alto Adige</span><span lang="EN-US">, a </span><span lang="ES"><strong>World Athletics Label</strong> road race</span><span lang="EN-US">, in </span>Bolzano, Italy,<span lang="EN-US"> on Wednesday (31).</span></p>
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/69555c4a500f3355a770b056.jpeg" alt="Yomif Kejelcha wins the BOclassic 10km" />
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<p style="font-size: 0.9em; color: #b2b2b2; text-align: right; margin: -15px 0 0px;">Yomif Kejelcha wins the BOclassic 10km (&copy; Mosna)</p>
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<p>Ethiopia&rsquo;s two-time world 10,000m silver medallist Kejelcha took 17 seconds off the 10km course record set by his compatriot Telahun Haile Bekele last year, while Italy&rsquo;s world 5000m and 10,000m medallist Battocletti ran 15:51 to complete a 5km hat-trick in Bolzano.</p>
<p>Kejelcha ran the first five 1250m laps in a group that also included Bekele, crowd favourite Yeman Crippa of Italy, Maxime Chaumeton of South Africa, Kenya&rsquo;s Charles Rotich and Belgium&rsquo;s John Heymans.</p>
<p>Kejelcha, the world half marathon record-holder, picked up the pace on the sixth lap. By the time he passed the start and finish area for the seventh time, Bekele had caught up. But on the final lap, Kejelcha pulled away again and clinched victory in 27:42. Bekele was runner-up this time in 27:47, while Crippa was third in 27:57, also finishing inside the previous record. Chaumeton finished fourth and Heymans finished fifth.</p>
<p>All eyes were on Battocletti in the women&rsquo;s 5km and she took it relatively easy on the first two laps, running as part of a large group. She broke away in the second half of the race and eventually won in 15:51.</p>
<p>The battle for the runner-up spot was won by her compatriot Federica Del Buono as last year's fourth-place finisher this time clocked 16:04 minutes to take second place. The podium was completed by Ethiopia&rsquo;s Ksanet Alem, who lost out to Del Buono in the final sprint. Great Britain&rsquo;s Cari Hughes finished fourth, while Italy&rsquo;s Valentina Gemetto finished fifth.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong><span lang="EN-US">Organisers for World Athletics</span></strong></p>
<h3><span lang="EN-US">Leading results</span></h3>
<p><span lang="DE"><strong>Women (5km)</strong><br /></span><span lang="DE">1 </span>Nadia Battocletti (ITA) 15:51<br />2 ⁠Federica Del Buono (ITA) 16:04<br />3 ⁠Ksanet Alem (ETH) 16:05<br />4 ⁠Cari Hughes (GBR) 16:06<br />5 Valentina Gemetto (ITA) 16:08&nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-label-road-races/calendar-results/7222041/result" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Full results</a></p>
<p><strong>Men (10km)</strong><br />1 ⁠Yomif Kejelcha (ETH) 27:42<br />2⁠ ⁠Telahun Haile Bekele (ETH) 27:47<br />3 ⁠Yeman Crippa (ITA) 27:57<br />4 ⁠Maxime Chaumeton (RSA) 27:59<br />5⁠ ⁠John Heymans (BEL) 28:17&nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-label-road-races/calendar-results/7222042/result" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Full results</a></p>

Yomif Kejelcha ran a course record of 27:42, while Nadia Battocletti secured her third successive victory at the BOclassic Alto Adige

Amebaw runs 14:23 to win 5km in Barcelona

<p>Multiple global medallists are on Kenya&rsquo;s team for the <strong>World Athletics Cross Country Championships Tallahassee 26</strong> on 10 January.</p>
<p>World 10km record-holder Agnes Ngetich, who claimed world cross country bronze in 2023, features on the senior women&rsquo;s team along with national trials winner Maurine Chebor, Brenda Jepchumba Kenei, Rebecca Mwangi,&nbsp;Joyline Chepkemoi and Caren Chebet.</p>
<p>World half marathon silver medallist Daniel Ebenyo, who won the Kenyan trials and finished sixth at the 2023 World Cross Country Championships, leads the men&rsquo;s team.</p>
<p>He will line up alongside Kevin Chesang, Denis Kipkoech Kipkemoi, Shadrack Koech, Weldon Langat and Robert Koech.</p>
<p>World 1500m bronze medallist Reynold Cheruiyot and Purity Chepkirui, who formed part of the gold medal-winning mixed relay team in Belgrade two years ago, feature in the squad again this time.</p>
<h3>Kenyan team for Tallahassee</h3>
<p><strong>Senior women: </strong>Caren Chebet, Maurine Chebor, Joyline Chepkemoi, Brenda Jepchumba Kenei, Rebecca Mwangi, Agnes Ngetich<br /><strong>Senior men: </strong>Kevin Chesang, Daniel Ebenyo, Denis Kipkoech Kipkemoi, Robert Koech, Shadrack Koech, Weldon Langat<br /><strong>U20 women: &lrm;</strong>Mercy Jelimo, Miriam Chemutai Kibet, Cynthia Chepkirui, Caren Chepngeno, Mercy Chepngeno, Lonah Cherono<br /><strong>U20 men: </strong>Andrew Alamisi, Frankline Kibet, Emmanuel Kiprono, Kelvin Kariankei, Andrew Kiptoo, Edwin Elkana<br /><strong>Mixed relay: </strong>&lrm;Purity Chepkirui, Reynold Cheruiyot, Judy Kemunto, David Kipkoech, Winfred Mbithe, Daniel Munguti</p>

46th World Athletics Cross Country Championships

Multiple global medallists are on Kenya’s team for the World Athletics Cross Country Championships Tallahassee 26 on 10 January

Global medallists on Kenyan team for WXC Tallahassee 26

A look back at the key moments of 2025 in the relays

2025 review: relays

<p>Swedish pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis has been named the AIPS Best Male Athlete for the second year running after amassing an unassailable lead in the traditional end-of-year poll, organised by AIPS (International Sports Press Association) and as voted by a record 836 journalists from 121 countries.</p>
<p>Following another exceptional season in which he broke the world record four times, Duplantis was the runaway winner in the Best Male Athlete of the Year category ahead of Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz and French footballer Ousmane Dembele.</p>
<p>The AIPS Best Female Athlete of the Year award went to Spanish footballer Aitana Bonmati. Five track and field athletes featured in the top 10 in the women&rsquo;s voting: Beatrice Chebet (2nd), Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (4th), Femke Bol (5th), Faith Kipyegon (8th) and Valarie Allman (10th).</p>
<p>Duplantis, who was recently named the World Athletics Athlete of the Year award for the third time, became the first male pole vaulter in modern history to go undefeated both indoors and outdoors for two successive years.</p>
<p>He set four world records this year: 6.27m in Clermont-Ferrand, 6.28m in Stockholm, 6.29m in Budapest and 6.30m to clinch his third consecutive world title in Tokyo. Duplantis has now broken the men's pole vault world record 14 times since February 2020.</p>
<p>Duplantis, who earlier this month won the BBC &lsquo;World Sport Star&rsquo; award for the second year in a row, also earned his third successive world indoor pole vault title in Nanjing and fifth successive Diamond League title in Zurich.</p>

Swedish pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis has been named the AIPS Best Male Athlete for the second year running

Duplantis wins AIPS Best Male Athlete of 2025

A look back at the key moments of 2025 in the race walks

2025 review: race walks

<p>As the year draws to a close, we look back at the key moments of 2025 in each area of the sport.</p>
<p>The series continues with a review of cross country. It will be followed over the coming days by reviews of all the other remaining event groups.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Men&rsquo;s cross country</h2>
<h3>World Athletics rankings</h3>
<table style="border: 1px solid #999; width: 50%;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 22px;">
<td style="width: 15%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee; padding-left: 5px;">1</td>
<td style="width: 65%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee;">Rodrigue Kwizera (BDI)</td>
<td style="width: 20%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee;">1240</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22px;">
<td style="width: 15%; height: 22px; background-color: #ddd; padding-left: 5px;">1</td>
<td style="width: 65%; height: 22px; background-color: #ddd;">Mathew Kipchumba Kipsang (KEN)</td>
<td style="width: 20%; height: 22px; background-color: #ddd;">1240</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22px;">
<td style="width: 15%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee; padding-left: 5px;">1</td>
<td style="width: 65%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee;">Matthew Kipkoech Kipruto (KEN)</td>
<td style="width: 20%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee;">1240</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22px;">
<td style="width: 15%; height: 22px; background-color: #ddd; padding-left: 5px;">4</td>
<td style="width: 65%; height: 22px; background-color: #ddd;">Thierry Ndikumwenayo (ESP)</td>
<td style="width: 20%; height: 22px; background-color: #ddd;">1233</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22px;">
<td style="width: 15%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee; padding-left: 5px;">5</td>
<td style="width: 65%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee;">Nassim Hassaous (ESP)</td>
<td style="width: 20%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee;">1220</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><a href="https://worldathletics.org/world-rankings/cross-country/men" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Full rankings</strong></span></a></p>
<h3><br />Season snapshot</h3>
<ul>
<li>The king of the World Athletics Cross Country Tour, Burundi&rsquo;s Rodrigue Kwizera, clinched his third title after winning the 2024-25 tour. The 26-year-old won five races in the series &ndash; in Amorebieta, Atapuerca, Soria, Alcobendas and Albufeira. Kenyan Matthew Kipkoech Kipruto finished second after winning at the Cinque Mulini and in Carhaix, while Spain&rsquo;s Thierry Ndikumwenayo finished third.</li>
<li>For the 2025-2026 series, 10 of the 15 Gold races have already been completed and Kenya&rsquo;s Mathew Kipchumba Kipsang sits at the top of the standings. He has won the Cardiff Cross Challenge, the Campo a Traves Internacional de Soria and the Cross Internacional de Atapuerca.</li>
<li>Second in the standings is the reigning champion, Kwizera. He claimed victories at the Cross Internacional de Italica and the Alcobendas-Comunidad de Madrid, and finished runner-up in Soria and Atapuerca.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Kipruto is placed third. The 20-year-old won the Chepsaita Cross Country Tour, finished runner-up at the Cinque Mulini and placed third at the Campo a Traves Internacional de Soria. Other Gold meeting winners include Burundi&rsquo;s Emile Hafashimana, Ethiopia&rsquo;s Milkesa Fikadu, Kenya&rsquo;s Brian Kiptoo and Saymon Amanuel, who was the first Eritrean since Zersenay Tadese in 2008 to win the Cinque Mulini.</li>
<li>Kwizera, Kipsang and Kipruto currently top the world rankings ahead of the Spanish duo of Thierry Ndikumwenayo and Nassim Hassaous.</li>
<li>Ndikumwenayo won at the European Cross Country Championships in Lagoa, an upgrade from the bronze medal he claimed 12 months ago in Antalya.<br /><br />
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/695295bfc035b6a5f3d53fb0.jpg" alt="Thierry Ndikumwenayo at the European Cross Country Championships" />
<div>
<p style="font-size: 0.9em; color: #b2b2b2; text-align: right; margin: -15px 0 0px;">Thierry Ndikumwenayo at the European Cross Country Championships (&copy; Getty Images)</p>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li>Five legs remain of the Cross Country Tour Gold but before it resumes in January, the world will assemble in Tallahassee, Florida, for the World Athletics Cross Country Championships on 10 January. After that, the tour will head to Elgoibar in Spain, San Giorgio su Legnano in Italy, Hannut in Belgium, Albufeira in Portugal and Eldoret in Kenya.</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Women&rsquo;s cross country</h2>
<h3>World Athletics rankings</h3>
<table style="border: 1px solid #999; width: 50%;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 22px;">
<td style="width: 15%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee; padding-left: 5px;">1</td>
<td style="width: 65%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee;">Nadia Battocletti (ITA)</td>
<td style="width: 20%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee;">1240</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22px;">
<td style="width: 15%; height: 22px; background-color: #ddd; padding-left: 5px;">1</td>
<td style="width: 65%; height: 22px; background-color: #ddd;">Yenenesh Shimket (ETH)</td>
<td style="width: 20%; height: 22px; background-color: #ddd;">1240</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22px;">
<td style="width: 15%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee; padding-left: 5px;">3</td>
<td style="width: 65%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee;">Francine Niyomukunzi (BDI)</td>
<td style="width: 20%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee;">1233</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22px;">
<td style="width: 15%; height: 22px; background-color: #ddd; padding-left: 5px;">4</td>
<td style="width: 65%; height: 22px; background-color: #ddd;">Likina Amebaw (ETH)</td>
<td style="width: 20%; height: 22px; background-color: #ddd;">1226</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22px;">
<td style="width: 15%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee; padding-left: 5px;">5</td>
<td style="width: 65%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee;">Daisy Jepkemei (KAZ)</td>
<td style="width: 20%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee;">1226</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22px;">
<td style="width: 15%; height: 22px; background-color: #ddd; padding-left: 5px;">5</td>
<td style="width: 65%; height: 22px; background-color: #ddd;">Sheila Jebet (KEN)</td>
<td style="width: 20%; height: 22px; background-color: #ddd;">1226</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><a href="https://worldathletics.org/world-rankings/cross-country/women" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Full rankings</strong></span></a></p>
<h3><br />Season snapshot</h3>
<ul>
<li>Versatile Italian runner Nadia Battocletti topped the standings at the end of the 2024-25 World Athletics Cross Country Tour to claim the overall win. After finishing third at the Cinque Mulini, winning in Alcobendas and bagging gold at the European Cross Country Championships in Antalya in 2024, Battocletti started 2025 by emerging victorious on home soil at the Campaccio. Burundi&rsquo;s Francine Niyomukunzi, winner in Amorebieta and Albufeira, finished second in the series, while Kenya&rsquo;s Sheila Jebet placed third.</li>
<li>Battocletti, the world 10,000m silver and 5000m bronze medallist, is currently at the helm of the 2025-26 season standings following her triumphant performance at the Cross Internacional de Atapuerca on her fourth attempt. A week later, the Italian was runner-up at the Alcobendas-Comunidad de Madrid and on 14 December she retained her European title in Lagoa.<br /><br />
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/69234e6d3b27259dd8015555.jpg" alt="Nadia Battocletti celebrates victory at the Cross Internacional de Atapuerca" />
<div>
<p style="font-size: 0.9em; color: #b2b2b2; text-align: right; margin: -15px 0 0px;">Nadia Battocletti celebrates victory at the Cross Internacional de Atapuerca (&copy; Ricardo Ord&oacute;&ntilde;ez)</p>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<li>The Italian also sits joint top of the world rankings alongside Ethiopia&rsquo;s Yenenesh Shimket, the 18-year-old who won at the Cinque Mulini and in Alcobendas.</li>
<li>Behind Battocletti in the tour standings is Ethiopia&rsquo;s Likina Amebaw, who won the season opener in Amorebieta-Etxano, placed third at the Cross Internacional de Italica and won the Campo a Traves Internacional de Soria. Jebet is currently third after she placed second in Cardiff, Soria and Atapuerca, and third in Alcobendas.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Other winners on the current tour include Bahrain&rsquo;s Olympic 3000m steeplechase champion Winfred Yavi, Kenyans Cynthia Chepkirui and Dorcus Chepkwemoi, and Shimket and her fellow Ethiopian Tirhas Gebrehiwet.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Michelle Katami for World Athletics</strong></p>

A look back at the key moments of 2025 in cross country

2025 review: cross country

<p>As the year draws to a close, we look back at the key moments of 2025 in each area of the sport.</p>
<p>The series continues with a review of the combined events and will be followed over the coming days by reviews of the remaining event groups.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Women&rsquo;s heptathlon</h2>
<h3>Season top list</h3>
<table style="border: 1px solid #999999; width: 80%; height: 110px;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 22px;">
<td style="width: 15%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee; padding-left: 5px;">7032</td>
<td style="width: 35%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee;">Anna Hall (USA)</td>
<td style="width: 25%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee;">Gotzis</td>
<td style="width: 25%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee;">1 June</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22px;">
<td style="width: 15%; height: 22px; background-color: #ddd; padding-left: 5px;">6714</td>
<td style="width: 35%; height: 22px; background-color: #ddd;">Kate O&rsquo;Connor (IRL)</td>
<td style="width: 25%; height: 22px; background-color: #ddd;">Tokyo</td>
<td style="width: 25%; height: 22px; background-color: #ddd;">20 September</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22px;">
<td style="width: 15%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee; padding-left: 5px;">6581</td>
<td style="width: 35%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee;">Katarina Johnson-Thompson (GBR)</td>
<td style="width: 25%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee;">Tokyo</td>
<td style="width: 25%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee;">20 September</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22px;">
<td style="width: 15%; height: 22px; background-color: #ddd; padding-left: 5px;">6581</td>
<td style="width: 35%; height: 22px; background-color: #ddd;">Taliyah Brooks (USA)</td>
<td style="width: 25%; height: 22px; background-color: #ddd;">Tokyo</td>
<td style="width: 25%; height: 22px; background-color: #ddd;">20 September</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22px;">
<td style="width: 15%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee; padding-left: 5px;">6576</td>
<td style="width: 35%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee;">Sofie Dokter (NED)</td>
<td style="width: 25%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee;">Gotzis</td>
<td style="width: 25%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee;">1 June</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><a href="https://worldathletics.org/records/toplists/combined-events/heptathlon/all/women/senior/2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Full season top list</strong></span></a><br /><br /></p>
<h3>World Athletics rankings</h3>
<table style="border: 1px solid #999; width: 50%;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 22px;">
<td style="width: 15%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee; padding-left: 5px;">1</td>
<td style="width: 65%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee;">Anna Hall (USA)</td>
<td style="width: 20%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee;">1459</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22px;">
<td style="width: 15%; height: 22px; background-color: #ddd; padding-left: 5px;">2</td>
<td style="width: 65%; height: 22px; background-color: #ddd;">Kate O&rsquo;Connor (IRL)</td>
<td style="width: 20%; height: 22px; background-color: #ddd;">1377</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22px;">
<td style="width: 15%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee; padding-left: 5px;">3</td>
<td style="width: 65%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee;">Katarina Johnson-Thompson (GBR)</td>
<td style="width: 20%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee;">1372</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22px;">
<td style="width: 15%; height: 22px; background-color: #ddd; padding-left: 5px;">4</td>
<td style="width: 65%; height: 22px; background-color: #ddd;">Nafissatou Thiam (BEL)</td>
<td style="width: 20%; height: 22px; background-color: #ddd;">1355</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22px;">
<td style="width: 15%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee; padding-left: 5px;">5</td>
<td style="width: 65%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee;">Taliyah Brooks (USA)</td>
<td style="width: 20%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee;">1334</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><a href="https://worldathletics.org/world-rankings/heptathlon/women" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Full rankings</strong></span></a><br /><br /></p>
<h3>World Athletics Championships medallists</h3>
<table style="border: 1px solid #34495e; width: 80%; background-color: #eee; fff; border-style: solid;" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="3">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 10%; background-color: #e9c968; text-align: center;">🥇</td>
<td style="width: 60%; background-color: #e9c968;">Anna Hall (USA)</td>
<td style="width: 30%; background-color: #e9c968;">6888</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 10%; background-color: #ced4d9; text-align: center;">🥈</td>
<td style="width: 60%; background-color: #ced4d9;">Kate O&rsquo;Connor (IRL)</td>
<td style="width: 30%; background-color: #ced4d9;">6714</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 10%; background-color: #bd895e; text-align: center;">🥉</td>
<td style="width: 60%; background-color: #bd895e;">Katarina Johnson-Thompson (GBR)</td>
<td style="width: 30%; background-color: #bd895e;">6581</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 10%; background-color: #bd895e; text-align: center;">🥉</td>
<td style="width: 60%; background-color: #bd895e;">Taliyah Brooks (USA)</td>
<td style="width: 30%; background-color: #bd895e;">6581</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="background-color: #34495e; text-align: left;" colspan="3">&nbsp;&nbsp;<span style="text-decoration: underline; color: #ffffff;"><strong><a style="color: #ffffff;" href="https://worldathletics.org/results/world-athletics-championships/2025/world-athletics-championships-tokyo-2025-7190593/women/heptathlon/800-metres/points" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Full results</a></strong></span></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3><br />Major winners</h3>
<p><strong>World Championships:</strong> Anna Hall (USA) 6888<br /><strong>World Indoor Championships (pentathlon):</strong> Saga Vanninen (FIN) 4821<br /><strong>World Combined Events Tour:</strong> Anna Hall (USA) 3781<br /><strong>South American Championships:</strong> Martha Araujo (COL) 6396<br /><strong>Asian Championships:</strong> Nandini Agasara (IND) 5941<br /><br /></p>
<h3>Season snapshot</h3>
<ul>
<li>Anna Hall became the first woman from the United States to win world heptathlon gold since 1993. Having earned world bronze in 2022 and silver in 2023, the 24-year-old completed her medal set with a total of 6888. Kate O'Connor set an Irish record of 6714 to take silver, while Britain's defending champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson shared bronze with Hall&rsquo;s teammate Taliyah Brooks, both scoring 6581.</li>
<li>Hall, who had joined the 7000-point club with her winning total of 7032 in Gotzis - which remained the best score of 2025 - took over first place after the second event and steadily extended her lead. She ran 13.05 in the 100m hurdles, cleared 1.89m in the high jump, threw a personal best of 15.80m in the shot, ran 23.50 in the 200m, jumped 6.12m in the long jump, threw a personal best of 48.13m in the javelin and finished emphatically by winning the 800m in 2:06.08. Belgium&rsquo;s three-time Olympic champion Nafissatou Thiam pulled out after five events.</li>
<li>O&rsquo;Connor&rsquo;s achievement in earning silver concluded a breakthrough year. The 24-year-old earned pentathlon bronze at the European Indoor Championships in Apeldoorn, and later that month she took pentathlon silver at the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing. In July she won gold at the World University Summer Games with a national record of 6487. In Tokyo she set personal bests in five of the seven events, recording 13.44 in the 100m hurdles, 24.07 in the 200m, 1.86m in the high jump, 53.06m in the javelin and 2:09.56 in the 800m.</li>
<li>Saga Vanninen of Finland won pentathlon gold at the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing with 4821, having won European indoor gold just two weeks prior with a world-leading 4922.</li>
<li>The heptathlon title in the World Athletics Combined Events Tour went to Hall, who produced the three best heptathlon performances of 2025. Hall&rsquo;s US compatriot Brooks finished second in the tour for the second year in a row, while Colombia&rsquo;s Martha Araujo was third. She finished third in Gotzis with a South American record of 6475, then won the Decastar meeting in Talence with 6451.</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Men&rsquo;s decathlon</h2>
<h3>Season top list</h3>
<table style="border: 1px solid #999999; width: 80%; height: 110px;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 22px;">
<td style="width: 15%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee; padding-left: 5px;">8909</td>
<td style="width: 35%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee;">Sander Skotheim (NOR)</td>
<td style="width: 25%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee;">Gotzis</td>
<td style="width: 25%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee;">1 June</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22px;">
<td style="width: 15%; height: 22px; background-color: #ddd; padding-left: 5px;">8869</td>
<td style="width: 35%; height: 22px; background-color: #ddd;">Kyle Garland (USA)</td>
<td style="width: 25%; height: 22px; background-color: #ddd;">Eugene</td>
<td style="width: 25%; height: 22px; background-color: #ddd;">1 August</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22px;">
<td style="width: 15%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee; padding-left: 5px;">8804</td>
<td style="width: 35%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee;">Leo Neugebauer (GER)</td>
<td style="width: 25%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee;">Tokyo</td>
<td style="width: 25%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee;">21 September</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22px;">
<td style="width: 15%; height: 22px; background-color: #ddd; padding-left: 5px;">8784</td>
<td style="width: 35%; height: 22px; background-color: #ddd;">Ayden Owens-Delerme (PUR)</td>
<td style="width: 25%; height: 22px; background-color: #ddd;">Tokyo</td>
<td style="width: 25%; height: 22px; background-color: #ddd;">21 September</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22px;">
<td style="width: 15%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee; padding-left: 5px;">8575</td>
<td style="width: 35%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee;">Niklas Kaul (GER)</td>
<td style="width: 25%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee;">Gotzis</td>
<td style="width: 25%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee;">1 June</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><a href="https://worldathletics.org/records/toplists/combined-events/decathlon/outdoor/men/senior/2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Full season top list</strong></span></a><br /><br /></p>
<h3>World Athletics rankings</h3>
<table style="border: 1px solid #999; width: 50%;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 22px;">
<td style="width: 15%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee; padding-left: 5px;">1</td>
<td style="width: 65%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee;">Leo Neugebauer (GER)</td>
<td style="width: 20%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee;">1433</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22px;">
<td style="width: 15%; height: 22px; background-color: #ddd; padding-left: 5px;">2</td>
<td style="width: 65%; height: 22px; background-color: #ddd;">Ayden Owens-Delerme (PUR)</td>
<td style="width: 20%; height: 22px; background-color: #ddd;">1404</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22px;">
<td style="width: 15%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee; padding-left: 5px;">3</td>
<td style="width: 65%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee;">Kyle Garland (USA)</td>
<td style="width: 20%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee;">1390</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22px;">
<td style="width: 15%; height: 22px; background-color: #ddd; padding-left: 5px;">4</td>
<td style="width: 65%; height: 22px; background-color: #ddd;">Sander Skotheim (NOR)</td>
<td style="width: 20%; height: 22px; background-color: #ddd;">1375</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 22px;">
<td style="width: 15%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee; padding-left: 5px;">5</td>
<td style="width: 65%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee;">Johannes Erm (EST)</td>
<td style="width: 20%; height: 22px; background-color: #eee;">1366</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><a href="https://worldathletics.org/world-rankings/decathlon/men" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Full rankings</strong></span></a><br /><br /></p>
<h3>World Athletics Championships medallists</h3>
<table style="border: 1px solid #34495e; width: 80%; background-color: #eee; fff; border-style: solid;" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="3">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 10%; background-color: #e9c968; text-align: center;">🥇</td>
<td style="width: 60%; background-color: #e9c968;">Leo Neugebauer (GER)</td>
<td style="width: 30%; background-color: #e9c968;">8804</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 10%; background-color: #ced4d9; text-align: center;">🥈</td>
<td style="width: 60%; background-color: #ced4d9;">Ayden Owens-Delerme (PUR)</td>
<td style="width: 30%; background-color: #ced4d9;">8784</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 10%; background-color: #bd895e; text-align: center;">🥉</td>
<td style="width: 60%; background-color: #bd895e;">Kyle Garland (USA)</td>
<td style="width: 30%; background-color: #bd895e;">8703</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="background-color: #34495e; text-align: left;" colspan="3">&nbsp;&nbsp;<span style="text-decoration: underline; color: #ffffff;"><strong><a style="color: #ffffff;" href="https://worldathletics.org/results/world-athletics-championships/2025/world-athletics-championships-tokyo-2025-7190593/men/decathlon/1500-metres/points" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Full results</a></strong></span></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3><br />Major winners</h3>
<p><strong>World Championships:</strong> Leo Neugebauer (GER) 8804<br /><strong>World Indoor Championships (heptathlon):</strong> Sander Skotheim (NOR) 6475<br /><strong>World Combined Events Tour:</strong> Sander Skotheim (NOR) 3754<br /><strong>South American Championships:</strong> Jose Fernando Ferreira (BRA) 7847<br /><strong>Asian Championships:</strong> Fei Xiang (CHN) 7634<br /><strong>NACAC Championships:</strong> Austin West (USA) 8038<br /><br /></p>
<h3>Season snapshot</h3>
<ul>
<li>Germany&rsquo;s Leo Neugebauer emerged victorious at the World Championships after moving past long-time leader Kyle Garland of the United States with a 64.34m javelin throw in the penultimate event - a personal best by 5.35m. The 25-year-old Olympic silver medallist went on to earn his first global title with a season&rsquo;s best of 8804 as Ayden Owens-Delerme set a Puerto Rican record of 8784 for silver and Garland secured bronze with 8703.</li>
<li>Canada&rsquo;s 2021 Olympic champion Damian Warner withdrew just before the World Championships decathlon got underway. His teammate Pierce LePage, the defending champion, pulled out after four events. Switzerland&rsquo;s 2024 world indoor champion Simon Ehammer also went out after four events having failed to clear his opening height in the high jump. And Norway&rsquo;s Sander Skotheim, whose winning total of 8909 at the Gotzis meeting three months earlier remained the best score of 2025, was disqualified for pushing one of the barriers in the 110m hurdles at the start of day two when he was second overall. It was the second successive time Skotheim had failed to complete a global decathlon after his failure to clear an opening pole vault height of 4.50m at the Paris 2024 Olympics.</li>
<li>Neugebauer&rsquo;s mighty javelin effort gave him a 15-point advantage over Garland going into the concluding 1500m. His 4:31.89 clocking in that discipline left him 20 points clear of his opponents. Owens-Delerme&rsquo;s time of 4:17.91 was enough to move him up to silver as Garland finished in 4:45.45.</li>
<li>Skotheim&rsquo;s position as pre-event favourite in Tokyo had been bolstered by his superb early season form. In February the 23-year-old from Oslo set a European heptathlon record of 6484 in Tallinn. He won gold at the European Indoor Championships in Apeldoorn, raising his European heptathlon record to 6558 and moving to third on world all-time list. Later that month he added gold at the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, where he totalled 6475. Skotheim&rsquo;s Gotzis score surpassed the national record set by Markus Rooth at the 2024 Olympics.</li>
<li>Skotheim&rsquo;s outstanding season saw him confirmed in October as decathlon winner in the World Athletics Combined Events Tour. Garland, who produced three of the top six performances in the world during 2025, was second on 3719. He finished second to Skotheim in Gotzis with 8626, then won the US title with a lifetime best of 8869. Third place went to Owens-Delerme.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Mike Rowbottom for World Athletics</strong></p>

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<p>The world&rsquo;s best cross-country runners will take on a course inspired by Florida&rsquo;s natural landscape when they compete at the <strong>World Athletics Cross Country Championships Tallahassee 26</strong> (WXC Tallahassee 26) on 10 January.</p>
<p>The terrain at Apalachee Regional Park will feature sand, water, mud and a signature &lsquo;rollercoaster&rsquo; element that will challenge even the sport&rsquo;s elite.</p>
<p>From rolling hills and wide grass straights to signature red clay paths weaving through scenic pines, the video preview offers an inside view of the terrain, key features and unforgettable atmosphere awaiting competitors from around the globe.</p>
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/694c121b4146412b607cbf88.jpg" alt="WXC Tallahassee 26 course map" />
<p>The course includes two loops. Four challenge areas are planned and runners will face each challenge five times during the 10km race.</p>
<p><a href="https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/507707db21164c219ac89be2dcd0dcdc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">View interactive map and learn more about each challenge area.</a></p>
<p>Fan experience zones are located along the course challenge areas. They include a variety of Florida themes intended to match the runner challenges.</p>
<p><strong>Course preview video:</strong></p>
<p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZMynePGboo0?si=oeVNLR1PcE4YySh5" width="100%" height="475" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>Fans can also lace up their running shoes and take on the same course as the elites. <a href="https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-cross-country-championships/tallahassee26/florida-fun-run" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Choose from one of four community fun runs</a> and enjoy the unique opportunity to test your skills on the same challenging terrain.&nbsp;</p>
</div>

The world’s best cross-country runners will take on a course inspired by Florida’s natural landscape when they compete at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships Tallahassee 26

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