World Cross Country Championships LIVE Preview: Top Contenders, Key Athletes To Watch & Team USA's Medal Chances

The World XC Championships return to the U.S. for the first time since 1992, with Saturday’s races in Tallahassee offering a chance to reignite global attention on the best distance runners in the world.

How to watch: The races will be broadcast on Peacock (starting at 9:35 a.m.) and will be televised on CNBC (starting at 10 a.m. ET).

Schedule (All times ET):

• 9:45 a.m. – Mixed 4x2K Relay
• 10:20 a.m. – Women’s U20 6K Race
• 10:55 a.m. – Men’s U20 8K Race
• 11:35 a.m. – Women’s Senior 10K Race
• 12:20 p.m. – Men’s Senior 10K Race

You can read our full race preview here.

____________

Mixed Relay Preview:

Favorites: Kenya w/ Reynold Cheruiyot

Challengers:

• Australia (Jessica Hull, Olli Hoare)
• France (Agathe Guillemot)
• USA (Sage Hurta-Klecker, Ethan Strand)
• Morocco's NCAA stars
• Kenya has won 3 of 4 editions since 2017.

Senior Women’s Race:

Star Power Dip: No Beatrice Chebet (pregnancy), no Olympic or World medalists from 5000m/10,000m entered.

Top Teams:

• Kenya: Agnes Ngetich leads (14:01/28:46 PBs); Maurine Chebor debuts
• Ethiopia: Loaded with U20 grads like Senayet Getachew, Asayech Ayichew
• Uganda: Joy Cheptoyek, Sarah & Rebecca Chelangat return
• USA: Led by Weini Kelati; Schweizer, Kurgat, Izzo in the mix
• Wild cards: Megan Keith, Lauren Ryan

Senior Men’s Race:

Deepest Field Post-COVID: 145 entrants

Title contenders:

• Jacob Kiplimo: Two-time champ, fresh off 2:02:23 marathon win
• Ethiopia: Berihu Aregawi + rising star Biniam Mehary
• Kenya: Daniel Ebenyo returns; Weldon Langat, Robert Koech support
• France: Jimmy Gressier headlines strong squad

Team USA Outlook:

• Potential for medal with Graham Blanks, Nico Young, Parker Wolfe, Rocky Hansen
• U.S. last medaled in 2013 (silver)

____________

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

ASICS: When you move your body, amazing things happen to your mind. Lace up and feel the good vibrations. Check out all of ASICS’ latest running shoes and gear here.

OLIPOP: Olipop is a better-for-you soda that puts 6-9g of fiber in every single can. This winter, Olipop's holiday cans are back featuring their Yeti Trio. Olipop is a smart, simple way to add more fiber to your day. No recipes, no resolutions, no salads required. Whether you’re team Vintage Cola, Crisp Apple, or Ginger Ale, bundle up, pour yourself a can, and sip on some fiber. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit DrinkOlipop.com and use code CITIUS25 at checkout to get 25% off your orders.