Kenya’s national team for the upcoming world cross country championships in Tallahassee next week has been named but will head into competition without reigning champion Beatrice Chebet.
Chebet revealed on Thursday that she won’t be part of the roster or seek a rare third straight cross country title.
“The last 2yrs have been more than incredible for us, every goal and dream checked out! Unfortunately won’t be able to defend my world cross title,” Chebet said in a message on social media.
Chebet, 25, is the current double Olympic and world champion in the 5,000m and 10,000m and was initially named as a reserve for Kenya even though she did not compete at her country’s national trials.
She bolted to an eight second win in 33:48 in the 2023 race in Bathurst, which also helped pushed Keyna to the team title. In 2024, Chebet claimed the women’s race in 31:05 to repeat as champion, with Kenya again taking the team title.
A win next week would have put Chebet in vary rare company.
Just two women have pulled off three straight cross country world title wins.
Grete Waitz won three in a row in 1979, 1979 and 1980 — and won a fourth straight title for Norway in 1981. Waitz then won a fifth overall championship in 1983.
Lynn Jennings won three straight for Team USA in 1990, 1991, and 1992.
Still, Kenya will field a team that enters competition in Tallahassee next week with numerous global medallists with eyes on dominating both senior races, the U20 races and mixed relay.
Daniel Ebenyo leads the way for the senior men and will be joined by Kevin Chesang, Denis Kipkoech Kipkemoi, Robert Koech, Shadrack Koech and Weldon Langat.
Kenya’s senior women’s group will have world 10km record-holder Agnes Ngetich lining up alongside Caren Chebet, Maurine Chebor, Joyline Chepkemoi, Brenda Jepchumba Kenei and Rebecca Mwangi.
The mixed relay will feature Purity Chepkirui, Reynold Cheruiyot, Judy Kemunto, David Kipkoech, Winfred Mbithe and Daniel Munguti. Cheruiyot and Chepkirui were also part of the mixed relay squad that won gold in 2024 in Belgrade.
The U20 men’s team will be Andrew Alamisi, Frankline Kibet, Emmanuel Kiprono, Kelvin Kariankei, Andrew Kiptoo and Edwin Elkana while the U20 women’s line up includes Mercy Jelimo, Miriam Chemutai Kibet, Cynthia Chepkirui, Caren Chepngeno, Mercy Chepngeno and Lonah Cherono
The 2026 World Athletics Cross Country Championships will take place on January 10 in Tallahassee.
