Historic double gold as Uganda finishes third at World Cross Country

Uganda delivered a memorable performance at the 46th edition of the World Athletics Cross Country Championships, which concluded on Saturday, January 10, finishing third overall but leaving an indelible mark on the global stage with two historic gold medals.

Jacob Kiplimo’s record-breaking triumph in the senior men’s race and Uganda’s first-ever gold in the under-20 women’s team event headlined a championship that will be remembered as a turning point for Ugandan athletics.

Kiplimo completes historic hat-trick

Uganda’s distance running icon Jacob Kiplimo continued his dominance of cross-country running by clinching his third consecutive senior men’s gold medal at the championships held in Tallahassee Florida, USA.

Kiplimo stormed to victory in a time of 28:18, finishing well ahead of Ethiopia’s Berihu Aregawi.

The commanding performance made him only the fourth athlete in history to win three consecutive World Cross Country titles, joining legendary names John Ngugi, Paul Tergat, and Kenenisa Bekele.

His winning margin was also the largest recorded in the senior men’s race since 2007.

The victory marked a fitting farewell to cross-country running for Kiplimo, who officially bowed out of the discipline on a high.

He first announced himself on the world stage in 2017 when he became the first Ugandan to win a World Cross Country medal.

He now departs as the first Ugandan athlete to claim three consecutive world titles, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest cross-country runners of his generation.

Junior women deliver Uganda’s first-ever gold

Uganda’s under-20 women’s team also etched their names into history by winning the country’s first gold medal in the junior women’s category since its introduction in 1989.

Led by Charity Cherop, who finished third individually in 19:19, Uganda placed four athletes inside the top tenan achievement that sealed the historic team title.

Bentalin Yeko placed seventh, Felister Chekwemoi finished eighth, Peace Chebet came home tenth, while Nancy Chepkwurui completed the strong team showing in 12th position.

Cherop’s bronze medal was particularly significant, as she became the first Ugandan junior woman to reach the podium in the event, ending years of dominance by Kenya and Ethiopia in the category.

With depth, discipline, and consistency, the Ugandan team outscored traditional powerhouses to secure a breakthrough gold.

Ethiopia’s Alemayo Marta successfully defended her individual junior women’s title, winning gold in 18:52, but Uganda’s collective strength ensured the team honors belonged to East Africa’s rising force.

Strong overall finish for Uganda

Uganda wrapped up the championships in third place overall with a total of seven medals (two gold, two silver, and three bronze).

Kenya topped the medal table with nine medals (three gold, four silver, and two bronze), while Ethiopia also collected seven medals to finish second with (three gold two silver and two bronze).

The achievements in Tallahassee not only celebrated present excellence but also signaled a strong future for Ugandan athletics on the world stage.

Uganda medals

Individuals medals

Jacob Kiplimo -Gold

Joy Cheptoyek- Silver

Charity Cherop – Bronze

Team medals

U20 Women- Gold

U20 men - Silver

Senior Women-Bronze