Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo left little doubt on Saturday afternoon, cementing his status among cross-country running’s all-time greats with a dominant victory at the 2026 World Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, Fla.

Kiplimo claimed his third consecutive men’s world XC title, breaking away over the final kilometres to win the 10K race by 18 seconds on the technical course. He controlled the race from the front early, patiently letting the field thin before asserting his authority on the final lap.

Over the closing two kilometres, Kiplimo stretched the gap on Ethiopia’s Berihu Aregawi and Kenya’s Daniel Ebenyo, becoming just the fourth man in history to win three straight World XC titles. Aregawi earned silver in 28:36, while Ebenyo took bronze in 28:45.

With the victory, Kiplimo joins the elite distance running company, matching the achievements of John Ngugi, Paul Tergat and Kenenisa Bekele as the only men to win three consecutive world cross-country titles.

The 25-year-old Ugandan’s range is insane. He also has the world record in the half-marathon distance, and has already started dominating the marathon scene, winning the 2025 Chicago Marathon in October.

Kenya’s Ngetich wins women’s XC title

On the women’s side, Kenya’s Agnes Ngetich ensured her country’s dominance continued despite the absence of defending champion Beatrice Chebet. Ngetich delivered the most commanding performance of the day, winning the women’s 10K race by 42 seconds to secure her first world XC title.

The world 10K record holder crossed the line in 31:28, recording the second-largest winning margin in the history of the World Cross Country Championships. Uganda’s Joy Cheptoyek claimed silver, while Ethiopia’s Senayet Getachew earned bronze.

Chloe Thomas of Hamilton, Ont., was the top Canadian finisher in the women’s race, placing 31st. In the men’s event, Evan Burke of London, Ont., led the Canadian contingent, finishing 38th in 30:31. Canadian distance star Moh Ahmed started the race, but did not finish, stepping off the course shortly after the three-kilometre mark with a reported calf issue.

For full results from the 2026 World XC Championships, see here.