Key info for the World Athletics Cross Country Championships Tallahassee 26

Florida is getting ready to welcome many of the world’s best runners for the World Athletics Cross Country Championships Tallahassee 26 (WXC Tallahassee 26) on 10 January.

This 46th edition of the World Cross Country Championships will feature more than 500 athletes from some 65 countries, as athletes compete across five exhilarating races: the men’s and women’s U20 and senior events, and the mixed relay.

It is the third time that the event will be held in the United States, following the editions in New York in 1984 and Boston in 1992.

Timetable

The WXC Tallahassee 26 takes place on Saturday 10 January. The programme kicks off with the mixed relay at 9:45am local time and ends with the senior men’s race at 12:20pm.

The senior women’s and men’s races are each 10km. The U20 women’s race is 6km and the U20 men’s race is 8km.

In each of these races, teams can feature up to six athletes, with the top four athletes on each team to score. The team with the lowest aggregate of points will be judged the winner. If a team fails to finish with a complete scoring team, the runners will be counted as individuals in the race result and be eligible for individual awards (senior events only).

The mixed relay involves teams of two women and two men, running in the order man-woman-man-woman. Athletes must carry a wristband that will be transferred to the next athlete within the takeover zone.

The course

The course at Apalachee Regional Park is inspired by Florida’s natural landscape. It will feature sand, water, mud and a signature ‘rollercoaster’ element that will challenge even the sport’s elite.

The course includes two loops featuring rolling hills, wide grass straights and signature red clay paths weaving through scenic pines. Four challenge areas are planned and runners will face each challenge five times during the 10km race.

Prize money

Senior races

Individual
Gold: US$30,000 
Silver: US$15,000 
Bronze: US$10,000 
Fourth: US$7000 
Fifth: US$5000 
Sixth: US$3000 

Team
Gold: US$20,000 
Silver: US$16,000
Bronze: US$12,000 
Fourth: US$10,000 
Fifth: US$8000
Sixth: US$4000

Mixed relay (per team)
Gold: US$12,000
Silver: US$8000
Bronze: US$6000 
Fourth: US$4000

Fan experience

As well as the elite action, there is plenty on offer for fans. Spectator tickets are available, offering fans an affordable experience with access to multiple viewing areas, jumbo screens showing the action live and a family-friendly fan zone filled with food trucks, music and interactive activities.

Immediately after the elite races, the public can run or walk 2km or 4km in the Worlds Fun Run: Florida Edition.

How to watch and follow

The WXC Tallahassee 26 will be streamed live in a number of territories on the World Athletics website, as well as via broadcasters around the world.

Keep an eye on the dedicated event website where TV information will be available ahead of the championships.

Fans will also be able to follow the action via the World Athletics live results platform, which will offer an enhanced experience. Sign up for free and log in to access even more data including live leaderboards, detailed results, race splits and other real-time updates.

Register now so you are ready to follow as soon as the competition starts.