Chebor in focus as AK selects world X-Country squad on Saturday

Kenya’s finest road warriors will converge at the Eldoret Sports Club on Saturday for the highly anticipated national Cross Country Championships, where Athletics Kenya will name Kenya's representatives to next year's global bonanza.

The 2026 World Cross Country Championships are slated for January 10 in Tallahassee, Florida.

In Florida, Team Kenya will be on a mission to reclaim the men’s senior 10km crown last captured in 2017 by the indomitable Geoffrey Kamworor.

Before that, Kenya had stamped its dominance with back-to-back victories through Japhet Korir in Bydgoszcz 2013 and Kamworor’s maiden triumph in Guiyang 2015.

However, in recent years, Uganda has stolen the spotlight in the men’s races with Joshua Cheptegei ruling in 2019 and Jacob Kiplimo continuing the East African rivalry with back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024.

On the senior women’s front, Kenya will be gunning for an incredible 10th consecutive team title, aiming to extend its long-standing stranglehold on the discipline.

Florence Kiplagat first tightened Kenya’s grip with her victory in Amman 2009 before passing the torch to Emily Chebet the following year.

Since then, the roll of honour has read like a who’s who of women’s distance running; Vivian Cheruiyot (Punta Umbria 2011), Emily Chebet (Bydgoszcz 2013), the late Agnes Tirop (Guiyang 2015), Irene Cheptai (Kampala 2017), Hellen Obiri (Aarhus 2019) and Beatrice Chebet (Bathurst 2023).

At the last global edition, Chebet spearheaded a stunning Kenyan podium sweep, clocking 31:05 ahead of Lilian Kasait (31:08) and Margaret Kipkemboi (31:09).

The women’s senior race in Eldoret will see the in-form Maurine Chebor command the spotlight.

The 21-year-old has been in red-hot form on the domestic cross-country circuit and is eyeing a breakthrough into Team Kenya’s World Championships lineup.

Chebor impressed at last season’s national championships, finishing second in 34:33 behind Brillian Kipkoech (34:30) and has been untouchable since the 2026 AK Cross Country Series kicked off in Machakos on August 9.

“All I need to do is be patient and focus on making the World Cross Country Championships team,” Chebor said after storming to victory in Machakos.

In Machakos, she cut the tape in 30:37 ahead of Rebecca Mwangi (31:07) and Sandrafelis Chebet (31:18).

Meanwhile, in the men’s contest, half-marathon ace Alex Matata will be looking to stamp his authority and secure his maiden national team call-up.

Fresh from a strong run at the New Delhi Half Marathon on October 12, where he won in 59:50,  Matata has declared his focus on the global cross-country stage.

“I am now preparing for the World Cross Country next year,” Matata confirmed after his Delhi race.