Written By | Our Reporter
46th-World-Athletics-Cross-Country-Championships-Team-Uganda,
Search
Sports Desk
Ugandan athletes set to compete at this year’s World Cross Country Championships have safely arrived in Tallahassee, Florida, USA, ahead of the event scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday.
The Ugandan contingent comprises 26 athletes and four officials, led by the defending men’s senior race champion, Jacob Kiplimo. The team also includes experienced female runners Sarah Chelangat, Rebecca Chelangat and Joy Cheptoyek.
The championship, now in its 46th edition, returns to the United States after 30 years and will bring together the world’s best senior and junior runners seeking to make an impact on the global stage.
Uganda has finished behind the dominant teams of Kenya and Ethiopia in the women’s team race over the last three championships. However, with the inclusion of seasoned athletes Sarah Chelangat, Rebecca Chelangat and Joy Cheptoyek, Team Uganda is well positioned to challenge for team gold. The addition of Risper Cherop and Kareen Chemusto, both of whom competed at last year’s World Mountain Running Championships, further strengthens Uganda’s chances of a podium finish.
Team Uganda for the 46th-World-Athletics-Cross-Country-Championships in Florida
In the senior men’s race, the title battle is expected to feature two-time defending champion Jacob Kiplimo against Ethiopian stars Berihu Aregawi and Biniam Mehary. French runner Jimmy Gressier, the 10,000m gold and 5,000m bronze medallist at last year’s World Athletics Championships, is also expected to feature prominently alongside strong Kenyan contenders.
Kiplimo returned to cross country after committing to the marathon last year, finishing second at the 2025 London Marathon before claiming victory at the Chicago Marathon with a time of 2:02:23. His return follows a tradition from the 1980s when elite marathon runners regularly competed at the World Cross Country Championships.
Kiplimo is aiming to become the first athlete to win consecutive World Cross Country titles since Kenenisa Bekele, who claimed five straight victories between 2001 and 2005, when the championships were held annually.
Uganda has not missed the podium at the World Cross Country Championships since 2015. However, the team will compete without 5,000m and 10,000m world record holder Joshua Cheptegei, who played a key role in Uganda’s podium finishes in 2017 and 2019 and as a second scorer in 2023 and 2024.
Uganda Team
Senior Men – 10km
Jacob Kiplimo, Dolphine Chelimo, Dan Kibet, Emmanuel Kibet, Kenneth Kiprop, Deogracious Musobo
Senior Women – 10km
Sarah Chelangat, Rebecca Chelangat, Kareen Chemusto, Martha Chemutai, Joy Cheptoyek, Risper Cherop
Under-20 Men – 8km
Solomon Andiema, Daniel Chelogoi Kiprotich, Abraham Cherotich, Dan Kipyeko, Jeremiah Kwemoi
Under-20 Women – 6km
Peace Chebet, Felister Chekwemoi, Nancy Chekwurui, Charity Cherop, Bentalin Yeko
Mixed Relay – 4 × 2km
Silas Chemutai, Daniel Comboni, Brenda Chekwemoi, Sylvia Chelangat
Officials
Benjamin Njia – Team Leader
Immaculate Chemutai – Coach
Jimmy Adar – Coach
Peter Chelangat – Coach
Torch Media Africa
