Jacob Kiplimo eyes historic exit from Cross Country

Cross-Country titles won

2024- Gold- Belgrade (Serbia)

2023 – Gold -Bathurst (Australia

2019- Silver -Aarhus (Denmark)

2017- Gold junior -Kampala(Uganda)
 

Jacob Kiplimo began his cross-country career in 2017, winning his first gold medal as a junior athlete at a world championship hosted by Uganda at Kololo.

Having entered the discipline as a champion, he now seeks to conclude his cross-country career on the same victorious note.

On January 10, at the 46th, World Athletics cross country defending champion Jacob Kiplimo will officially bid farewell to the discipline that shaped his career for nearly a decade.

The 25-year-old Ugandan distance star will line up for his final World Cross Country Championship appearance, marking the end of an era defined by dominance, resilience, and national pride.

For Kiplimo, Saturday’s race is more than just another competition. It is an opportunity to defend his title for a third consecutive time and leave the cross-country stage the only way he knows how as a champion. A victory would crown a remarkable journey that began almost ten years ago and cement his legacy among the greatest cross-country runners of his generation.

Kiplimo confirmed that this World Cross Country Championship would be his final appearance shortly after his historic triumph at the Chicago Marathon, where he claimed his first marathon victory.

“This will be my last World Cross Country Championship plus I will not be back on the track. After that, I will be focusing on the road now,” Kiplimo said.

The transition already appears to be paying off. Beyond his Chicago Marathon success, Kiplimo also finished second at the London Marathon, signaling a promising future in road racing. With these early results, expectations are high that the Ugandan star is entering another golden phase of his career.

His coach, Peter Chelangat, has expressed immense pride in Kiplimo’s achievements across both track and non-stadia events. Chelangat believes the move to road racing will unlock even greater potential.

“He has played his part, and now he is venturing into another area where I believe he will achieve more and bring even more glory to Uganda,” Chelangat said.

The 2026 World Cross Country Championships will take place in Tallahassee, Florida, USA, where Kiplimo will lead a Ugandan contingent of 25 athletes competing across senior, junior, and mixed relay categories. His presence is expected to inspire the team as Uganda seeks to improve on its recent performances.

At the 2024 World Cross Country Championships held in Belgrade, Serbia, Uganda finished third overall, winning five medals, behind Ethiopia and defending champions Kenya.

As Kiplimo prepares for his final cross-country run, the moment carries both celebration and reflection. It is the closing chapter of a storied cross-country career and the opening of a new journey on the road, one that promises even greater milestones for both athlete and country.