Only three men, Kenenisa Bekele, John Ngugi, and Paul Tergat, have won three successive World Cross Country titles.
Jacob Kiplimo will join that list of rare sporting immortality if he claims victory in the senior men’s race at the 46th World Athletics Cross Country Championships on Saturday, January 10.
Kiplimo will attack the course at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee, Florida, as not just one of the favourites but the man to beat.
Since his victory in the Serbian capital, Belgrade, in 2024, Kiplimo has focused more on road events, competing at last year’s London Marathon, where he came second, and also went on to win the Chicago Marathon in a National Record time of 2:02:23.
To win a third consecutive title, the Ugandan superstar will have to hold off rival Berihu Aregawi of Ethiopia, who followed him home for silver at both the 2023 and 2024 editions of the World Cross Country Championships.
Bereket Nega, the winner of the Ethiopian Cross Country Trials, along with Tadese Worku and Hagos Eyob will be crucial in the tactical battle to dethrone Kiplimo.
Meanwhile, Kenya, winners of the team title in the last two championships, will have Daniel Ebenyo lead the charge after a convincing victory at the Kenyan trials, supported by Kevin Chesang, Denis Kemboi and Shadrack Koech.
Uganda’s Senior Men’s Team
- Jacob Kiplimo
- Dan Kibet
- Deogracious Musubo
- Emmanuel Kibet
- Kenneth Kiprop
- Dolphine Chelimo
Where to watch
The 46th World Athletics Cross Country Championships will be live on SuperSport Variety 3 and SuperSport Africa 1 starting at 2:00 p.m. (EAT)