Kenya eyes title defence in Florida

Team Kenya is optimistic ahead of the 2026 World Cross Country Championships set for this Saturday, January 10 in Tallahassee, Florida, USA.

The 35-member squad is scheduled to depart in two groups on 5 and 6 January as Kenya gears up for another assault on the global stage.

Kenya will be out to defend the overall title it clinched at last year’s championships in Belgrade, Serbia, where the country dominated the medal table with an impressive haul of 11 medals — six gold, two silver and three bronze.

Speaking at the Windsor Hotel in Nairobi, where the team has set up base ahead of its departure to the United States, coaches Ruth Keter and Robert Ngisirei lauded the discipline and commitment shown by the athletes during camp.

“This team has been doing well in every edition, and even this time in camp they showed a very high level of discipline, which gives us confidence that they will perform well,” said Keter.

Ngisirei echoed the same sentiments, particularly praising the women’s squad: “The girls are very good, and we pray that God will guide them when they arrive in America so that they can compete strongly against their peers and overcome the challenge,” he said.

Prior to relocating to Nairobi, the squad underwent a high-intensity residential training camp at St Mark’s Teachers College in Kigari, a renowned high-altitude training base that has produced many of Kenya’s Cross country greats.

Coach Simick Ruto expressed confidence in the team’s preparation, insisting the athletes are ready to defend the overall crown.

“The team has been well prepared throughout the period they were in camp, and I assure Kenyans that it is ready and strong enough to post good results and retain the overall title,” Ruto said.