This Saturday morning, some 500 athletes from around 50 teams will be taking part in the 2024 edition of the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Belgrade, Serbia.

Uganda is very much represented in all the five events: two senior races, two junior races and mixed relay.

The last time out in the Australian city of Bathurst at the 44th edition of the championships, Uganda finished third on the medal table with four medals, behind Ethiopa and Kenya, who bagged 10 medals apiece.

The only other nations that picked up at least a medal were the United States (two) and hosts Australia (one).

Jacob Kiplimo won the senior men's race at the 2023 World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Bathurst, Australia. (AFP)

In the individual races at the last edition, Jacob Kiplimo and compatriot Joshua Cheptegei took gold and bronze, respectively, in the senior men's race.

Uganda took two senior team bronze medals.

All eyes on Belgrade

In Belgrade, action will begin with the junior races.

And this time around, five Ugandans will feature in the U20 women's race at 1pm (Ugandan time). They are Isella Chebet, Keziah Chebet, Vicky Chekwemboi, Charity Cherop and Nowel Cheruto. 

A total of 84 runners are on the start list for this opening event.

The U20 men's race will get under way at 1:35pm (Ugandan time). Five Ugandans will compete in this contest that will see 92 junior racers compete for the top honours.

The Ugandans are Dolphine Chelimo, Hosea Chemutai, Simba Samuel Cherop, Titus Musau and Sailas Rotich.

The mixed relay will follow at 2:15pm (Ugandan time). Uganda will feature in this one too, competing against a dozen other nations.

The senior races will get under way at 2:45pm (Ugandan time), starting with the senior women's race.

For this one, Uganda will be represented by Rachael Zena Chebet, Loice Chekwemoi, Annet Chemengich Chelangat, Sarah Chelangat, Belinda Chemutai and Joy Cheptoyek.

This race will feature a total of 90 runners.

The final act of this one-day championships in Serbia's capital will be the senior men's race at 3:30pm. 

Uganda will be represented by a six-strong team featuring the winners of the past two editions, Kiplimo (2023) and Cheptegei (2019). The other four Ugandan racers are Leonard Chemutai, Dan Kibet, Hosea Kiplangat and Martin Magengo Kiprotich.

And it will be the largest cast of them all: a total of 121 competitors.