2026 World XC: Agnes Jebet dazzles to clinch gold as Ebenyo settles for bronze

10km world record holder Agnes Jebet emphatically opened her 2026 season after storming to victory at the World Cross Country Championships held on Saturday, 10 January in Tallahassee, United States.

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Jebet, who endured a mixed 2025 campaign, delivered a statement performance by dominating the senior women’s race from gun to tape, signalling a strong comeback and renewed title ambitions this season.

Her authoritative front-running display left no doubt about her intent this season.

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The Iten-based star surged to the front in the opening kilometre, immediately stretching the field as Ethiopia’s Asayech Ayichew and Senayet Getachew settled into second and third places respectively.

Kenya’s Rebecca Mwangi and Maurine Jepkoech followed closely in fourth and fifth as the pack began to string out on the demanding Tallahassee course.

By the second kilometre, Uganda’s Joy Cheptoyek had moved up to fourth place, with Ethiopia’s Alem Tsadik also making ground. Jebet, however, remained untroubled at the front, maintaining a smooth and controlled tempo.

Behind her, positions continued to shuffle, with Sarah Chelangat of Uganda running sixth and Jepkoech dropping to seventh.

Cheptoyek soon emerged as Jebet’s closest challenger, climbing into second place by the third kilometre and showing resilience as she attempted to keep the Kenyan within sight.

At the four-kilometre mark, the leading quartet remained unchanged, with Getachew in third and Ayichew in fourth, as Jebet dictated the pace.

The race remained largely stable through the fifth kilometre, but movement began to intensify in the chasing pack by the sixth.

Maurine Jepkoech briefly climbed into fifth place before fading to eighth as the tempo took its toll. Jebet, unfazed by the changes behind her, continued to power ahead with trademark composure.

She crossed the finish line in 31:28 to clinch gold, capping a commanding performance that underlined her return to top form.

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Uganda’s Cheptoyek finished second in 32:10, while Ethiopia’s Senayet Getachew completed the podium.

Men's Senior Race

In the men’s race, Daniel Ebenyo Simiu settled for third in a fiercely contested race won by Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo.

Ethiopia’s Tadese Worku initially controlled the early stages, leading comfortably through the fourth kilometre, with Uganda’s Dolphins Chelimo in second and Kiplimo sitting patiently in third. Simiu was fourth at that point, biding his time.

The race ignited by the sixth kilometre as Kiplimo unleashed a decisive surge to take the lead, with Simiu responding to move into second place.

Worku dropped to third, while Kenya’s Ishmael Rokitto Kipkurui ran in sixth as the leaders began to break away.

Kiplimo maintained his momentum to the finish, stopping the clock at 28:18 to claim gold. Ethiopia’s Berihu Aregawi edged out Ebenyo for second in 28:36, with the Kenyan clocking 28:45 for bronze. Worku finished fourth in 28:49, while Rokitto rounded out the top five in 28:53.