Records Shattered

Cross Country World Championship Hosted in Tallahassee

Photo by Everett Slocum / Maclay Andalusian

For the first time in over 30 years, the United States hosted the World Athletics Organization’s biennial World Cross Country Championship on Jan. 10. Specifically, it took place in Tallahassee, Fla.’s Apalachee Regional Park.

The 46th edition of the event had over 500 athletes qualify from about 65 countries, with five different events - the mixed relay, U20 women’s 6k, U20 men’s 8k, senior women’s 10k and the senior men’s 10k (6.2 miles) - taking place. Teams of up to six racers from a country could compete in each event, but only the top four times would count towards the aggregate of points. The mixed relay was an exception involving the transfer of a wristband between a team of four - two men and two women.

“As team Australia, we won the mixed relay and it was super fun out there,” women's 2000-meter world record holder Jessica Hull said. “It was very fast, a fun lap of the course and lots of obstacles to get over.”

The event drew thousands of spectators and generated $4.3 million in tourism revenue for Tallahassee businesses. A standard admission ticket cost $20 without a promo code, but separate “fun run” tickets were offered that allowed spectators to run the world championship course after the medal ceremony concluded.

The Apalachee Regional Park course was modified for the event to fit the theme of Florida nature. Racers started their laps by running across a rollercoaster/hill, and then went through Florida Beaches (sand), Florida Coastline (water), Alligator Alley (hurdles) and the Florida Everglades (mud). The prize pool totaled $170,000, with the top senior men’s 10k runner receiving $30,000.

“The course was challenging but in a good way,” Hull said. “I think [the nature] made it fun, and we will remember it forever now because it is a place where we had some different experiences.”

For the third time in a row, Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda won the senior men’s title, finishing 18 seconds ahead of the second place runner, Berihu Aregawi of Ethiopia. Competitor Parker Wolfe, the leading home finisher for the United States, achieved 12th place in the senior men’s race.

"I didn't expect to win, but I was happy to cross the finish line first for the third consecutive time," Kiplimo said. "The course was really nice. I'm happy for my gold, but also for the team.”