Jacob Kiplimo wins third straight world cross country title in Tallahassee
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Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo underlined his dominance on the world cross-country stage by claiming a third consecutive senior title at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships Tallahassee 26, powering to victory in 28:18.
Ethiopia’s Berihu Aregawi once again finished runner-up, clocking 28:36, while Kenya’s Daniel Simiu Ebenyo completed the podium in 28:45. Ethiopia strengthened their silver medal with a commanding team gold on 30 points, ahead of Kenya (34) and Uganda (39).
The race began at a brisk tempo, with USA’s Wesley Kiptoo surging to the front from the gun and completing the opening lap in 5:39, briefly stretching the field. Uganda’s Dan Kibet and Australia’s Ky Robinson led the chase as the pack began to settle.
At 4km, Ethiopia’s Tadese Worku moved to the front, closely shadowed by Uganda’s Dolphine Chelimo and Ebenyo, while Kiplimo calmly positioned himself in fourth. Worku injected pace at halfway, momentarily gaining a narrow advantage over Kiplimo and Ebenyo, with Aregawi tracking just behind.
Kiplimo made his move at the end of the third lap, edging to the lead and drawing Ebenyo, Worku and Aregawi with him. Ethiopia’s Biniam Mehary and Ishmael Kipkirui followed in fifth and sixth, but the decisive moment came as the bell sounded for the final lap.
The 25-year-old Ugandan unleashed a devastating surge, opening an eight-second gap within the first kilometre of the final lap before extending it relentlessly to 18 seconds at the finish, the largest winning margin in the senior men’s race in championship history.
Kiplimo became just the fourth man to win three consecutive world cross-country titles, joining legends John Ngugi, Paul Tergat and Kenenisa Bekele.
“I was happy to cross the finish line first for the third consecutive time,” said Kiplimo. “I enjoyed the course—it was really nice. The key to my success is consistency in training and believing in what I’m doing. Many more Ugandan runners are catching up. I don’t know exactly what my next plans are, but it may be the London Marathon.”
Aregawi collected his fifth global medal and third World Cross Country silver, adding to his Olympic 10,000m silver in Paris and world indoor 3000m silver in Nanjing. Europe’s leading finisher was Thierry Ndikumwenayo, eighth in 29:16, while France’s Yann Schrub placed 11th, four positions ahead of world 10,000m champion Jimmy Gressier. Parker Wolfe was the top American finisher in 12th place.
Men’s U20 race
Kenya’s Frankline Kibet produced a standout performance to win gold in the men’s U20 race at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships Tallahassee 26, claiming the title on his global championship debut.
Kibet, who finished second at the Kenyan Trials last October, showed composure beyond his years in a fiercely contested race. A large lead pack moved through the opening kilometre in 2:48, before European U20 5000m and cross-country champion Willem Renders briefly took control, leading at 2km (5:49) and 3km (8:56) with no fewer than 18 athletes within two seconds.
As the race developed, the Kenyan contingent asserted their authority. A trio featuring Emmanuel Kiprono, Andrew Kiptoo and Alamisi surged to the front by 6km, closely followed by Uganda’s Abraham Cherotich and Daniel Chologoi. The increasing tempo soon reduced the contest to the leading Kenyans.
In the closing stages, Kibet and Kiprono broke clear in a thrilling duel for gold. Kibet timed his kick perfectly, surging ahead in the final few hundred metres to cross the line in 23:18, holding off Kiprono by two seconds. World U20 5000m champion Alamisi secured bronze in 23:28, ahead of Andrew Kiptoo (23:42).
Kenya dominated the team competition, claiming gold with a perfect 10-point score, ahead of Uganda (31 points) and the United States (42 points). It marked the sixth time in championships history that Kenya has swept all three medals in the men’s U20 race, following similar feats in 1993, 2000, 2005, 2007 and 2010.
Cherotich finished fifth in 23:47 to lead Uganda to team silver, while the USA repeated their bronze-medal finish from 2023.
