2026 World XC: Clean podium sweep for Kenya’s U20 men as women flounder

Kenya’s under-20 men produced a commanding performance at the 2026 World Athletics Cross Country Championships, completing a clean podium sweep in the race held on Saturday, 10 January, at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee, United States.

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The result was a testament to Kenya’s enduring dominance in junior men’s cross country and extended a long-standing trend in the discipline.

Edwin Elkana set the early pace, asserting himself at the front of the pack with Emmanuel Kiprono tracking closely in second place.

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The early Kenyan control was briefly interrupted by Belgium’s Willem Renders, who moved into the lead by the third kilometre.

At that stage, Kenya remained firmly in contention, with Brian Kiptarus and Elkana running second and third respectively, while Andrew Alamisi had worked his way into fourth place. Andrew Kiptoo followed closely in fifth.

The race dynamics shifted again in the fourth kilometre when Kiptoo surged to the front, with Kiptarus in close pursuit. Kiprono and Elkana slotted into third and fourth to give Kenya a temporary top-four stranglehold, as Uganda’s Jeremiah Kwemoi ran fifth.

Uganda mounted a challenge in the fifth kilometre through Abraham Cherotich, who took over the lead.

Kiprono moved into second place and Kiptarus into third, while Frankline Kibet and Alamisi occupied fourth and fifth positions, respectively.

Kenya responded swiftly in the sixth kilometre, with Kiprono driving to the front, Kibet climbing to second, and Alamisi into third. Uganda’s Daniel Kiprotich followed in fourth.

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By the seventh kilometre, Kenya had completely taken charge, locking out the top four positions with Kiprono leading, Kibet second, Alamisi third and Kiptoo fourth. The quartet pushed relentlessly towards the finish, setting up a thrilling final sprint.

Kibet proved the strongest in the closing metres, unleashing a decisive kick to win the race in 23:18.

Kiprono crossed the line in second in 23:20, while Andrew Alamisi claimed third place in 23:28 to complete a clean Kenyan podium. Kiptoo finished fourth in 23:42, with Uganda’s Cherotich coming home fifth to deny Kenya a full top-five sweep.

The result marked another chapter in Kenya’s rich history in the event.

It has now been 25 years since an athlete from outside Kenya, Ethiopia and Uganda stood on the U20 men’s podium, the last being American Dathan Ritzenhein, who won bronze in 2001.

Women’s race

In the U20 women’s race, Kenya showed depth and resilience but ultimately missed out on the podium as Ethiopia and Uganda dominated the medals.

Seven minutes into the race, Cynthia Chepkirui was already among the leaders, running third at the second kilometre as Ethiopians Marta Alemayo and Wosane Assefa dictated the pace. Joan Chepkurui sat sixth, with Lonah Cherono and Mercy Chepngeno in seventh and eighth.

By the third kilometre, Cynthia Chepkirui had moved up to second place, while Joan held on in fifth and Mercy slipped to ninth. Mariam Kibet, Lonah Cherono and Caren Chepngeno ran together in 12th, 13th and 14th positions.

As the race approached the fourth kilometre, Assefa passed Chepkirui to move into second, dropping the Kenyan to third, with Alemayo still firmly in control at the front.

Joan remained sixth, while Mercy Chepngeno and Miriam Kibet climbed to ninth and tenth, respectively. Chepkirui responded in the fifth kilometre, regaining second place as the leaders continued to push the pace.

The decisive moment came in the closing stages when Uganda’s Charity Cherop produced a powerful finishing kick, storming from fifth into second place.

Ethiopia’s Alemayo held on to win gold in 18:52, with Cherop taking silver in 19:18 and Assefa bronze in 19:19.

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Cynthia Chepkirui finished just outside the medals in fourth place in 19:22, the first Kenyan across the line.

Ethiopia’s Yenenesh Shimket placed fifth in 19:35, while Joan Chepkurui finished sixth in 19:43, rounding off a respectable but ultimately unrewarded Kenyan effort in the women’s race.