Female athletes compete at the national cross country championships/ TEDDY MULEIFive-time world cross country champion and former National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) president Paul Tergat is confident Kenya will once again stamp authority at next year's World Cross Country Championships.
The global showdown is set for Tallahassee, Florida, on January 10, and Tergat believes the stage is perfectly set for Kenyan runners to deliver another emphatic statement.
Tergat is a true veteran of the cross country global showdown, having carved his name into history with a record five consecutive titles during his heyday.
His maiden triumph on the world stage came in Durham, UK, in 1995, when he stopped the clock at 34:05 to finish ahead of compatriot Ismael Kirui (34:13) and Morocco’s Salah Hissou (34:14).
He defended his crown the following year in Stellenbosch, South Africa, clocking 33:44 to underline his growing dominance.
Tergat then sealed a hat-trick of titles in Turin in 1997, cutting the tape in 35:11 ahead of Hissou (35:13) and compatriot Tom Nyariki (35:20).
In Marrakesh in 1998, he powered to his fourth crown in 34:01, with Paul Koech (34:06) and
Ethiopia’s Assefa Mezegebu (34:28) finishing second and third respectively.
Tergat’s fifth title came in Belfast in 1999, where he emerged victorious in 38:28 ahead of compatriot Patrick Ivuti (38:32).
At the 2000 Vilamoura edition of the global showpiece, Tergat claimed bronze in 35:02 behind Belgium’s Mohammed Mourhit (35:00) and Mezegebu (35:01), bringing his glittering run at the championships to a close.
Tergat now reckons the stage is set for Kenya to deliver yet another dominant display on the global stage in Florida.
“Kenyan’s have been doing so good and we are looking forward to the US for the World Cross Country next year.
“We want Kenya to remain at the top. I will be there to cheer the team on,” Tergat said.
Kenya has been a dominant force in cross country over the years, leading the all-time medal standings with 35 medals (25 gold, six silver and four bronze).
Ethiopia follow closely behind with 31 medals, with England completing the top three on nine medals.
At last year’s championship, Kenya secured a clean podium sweep in the senior women’s race and also clinched the Under-20 men’s title.
Further, Kenyan women have dominated the senior race since Florence Kiplagat’s triumph in 2009, going on to win every title since then.
During next year’s showdown, Kenya’s charge will be spearheaded by double world record holder Beatrice Chebet and 2023 world 10,000m silver medallist Daniel Simiu in the women’s and men’s senior races, respectively.
Chebet will be gunning for a third straight victory on the rugged cross-country terrain following her previous triumphs in Bathurst 2023 and Belgrade 2024.
Tergat said a strong mentality remains the biggest secret behind sustained dominance in cross country running.
“I have won the cross country five times consecutively. Cross country, or any other sport, is not just about physicality; it’s also about the mentality.
“You have to be very strong because anytime you think you are tired or you can’t finish, definitely you will not be able to finish,” he added.
