Kenya’s World Cross Country Championships squad will depart for the United States in two batches this week for the 46th edition of the global showpiece slated for January 10 in Tallahassee, Florida.

The first group of athletes and officials is scheduled to fly out on Monday, with the second batch following on Tuesday, capping weeks of meticulous planning, residential training and logistical arrangements ahead of Kenya’s title defence.

Athletics Kenya named a formidable squad of 35 athletes last week, backed by a strong technical team comprising coaches, management and medical personnel, as the country targets another dominant showing on the world stage amidst stiff challenge expected from the likes of Ethiopia and Uganda.

Kenya heads to Tallahassee as the defending overall champions after a glittering performance at the last edition in Belgrade, Serbia, where the nation topped the medals table with 11 medals (six gold, two silver and three bronze).

That triumph was highlighted by sweeping team victories in both the senior men’s and women’s races, underlining Kenya’s enduring cross country pedigree. Gold medals also came through Samuel Kabathi in the men’s Under-20 race, the men’s U-20 team event and the mixed relay, sealing an emphatic overall crown.

The 2026 team was selected following the National Cross Country Championships held on October 25, 2025, at the Eldoret Sports Club, Uasin Gishu.

In the senior women’s 10 kilometres race, Kenya will be led by world 10km record holder Agnes Ng’etich, whose pace and finishing power make her central to the title defence. She is joined by Maurine Chebor, Brenda Kenei, Rebecca Mwangi, Caren Chebet and Joyline Jepkemoi.

The men’s senior race will be spearheaded by 2023 World 10,000 metres silver medallist Daniel Simiu Ebenyo, supported by a deep and experienced line-up that includes Ishmael Rokitto, Edwin Bett, Robert Koech, Weldon Langat, Shadrack Koech, Denis Kemboi and Kevin Chesang.

In the junior ranks, Cynthia Chepkirui leads the women’s U-20 6km team, while World U-20 5,000m champion Andrew Alamisi headlines a stacked men’s U-20 8km squad.

Notably absent from this year’s team is track and cross country superstar Beatrice Chebet, the dominant force behind Kenya’s senior women’s gold in Belgrade, who is heading to maternity leave. Her absence shifts responsibility to a new generation, but confidence within the camp remains high.

Team Kenya has been in residential camp at Kasarani and relocated to the Windsor Hotel on January 1 before departure. Athletics Kenya president Jackson Tuwei has expressed confidence in the squad, urging the athletes to rise to the occasion and defend Kenya’s overall crown in Florida.