World Cross Country Championships moved to odd-numbered years

Following a recommendation from the Competition Commission during the 236th World Athletics Council Meeting in Monaco on 3-4 December, the council approved moving the World Athletics Cross Country Championships from ‘even’ to ‘odd’ numbered years.

This shift will take effect after the 2026 edition in Tallahassee in Florida, USA, with the next event set for 2027 followed by 2029.

This marks another major adjustment since the event transitioned from an annual to a biennial format in 2011 amid concerns that fans were growing ‘tired’ of Kenyan and Ethiopian dominance.

Kenyan athletes have consistently excelled, with Kenyan women securing the last eight senior titles including Beatrice Chebet’s victories in 2023 and 2024.

Other adopted changes from the Competition Commission’s recommendations is the introduction of the 4x100m mixed relay event at the World Athletics Relays scheduled for May 10-11 next year in Guangzhou.

The World Athletics Council also approved the introduction of new official senior road distances for race walking events, changing from 20km race walk to half marathon race walk and 35km race walk to marathon race walk.

At U20 level, the men’s and women’s 10,000m race walk at the World Athletics U20 Championships will be replaced by a 5000m race walk event, starting at the 2026 edition of the championships in Eugene, USA.