IAAF World Cross Country Championships
Encyclopedia
IAAF World Cross Country Championships is the most important competition in international cross country running
. Held annually and organised by International Association of Athletics Federations
(IAAF), it was inaugurated in 1973, when it replaced the International Cross Country Championships
. It will be an annual competition until 2011, when the IAAF will change it to a biennial event.
The year 1998 saw the introduction of two new events at the World Cross Country Championships, a short race for men and a short race for women. The last time these 4 km races were held was 2006, and there are no public plans to bring them back.
In an incredible show of dominance, the senior men's team race has been won by Ethiopia
or Kenya
every year since 1981 in both the short and long races. These nations have enjoyed a similar strangle-hold on the junior men's races since 1982. In the senior men's 12 km race, Kenya won the world championships for an astounding 18 years in a row, from 1986 through 2003, a record of unequaled international success. Likewise on the women's side, only one other nation has won the long team race since 1991: Portugal
, in 1994. These African nations were not quite so dominant in the short races, but they have won every women's junior race since its introduction in 1989.
Several athletes have won two or more individual titles: Craig Virgin
, who is the only American to ever win at World Cross Country Championships, which he did twice; Carlos Lopes
, the first man to win three times (although Jack Holden
won the International Cross Country Championships four times between 1933 and 1939, Gaston Roelants
between 1962 and 1972); John Ngugi
, the first man to win five times; Paul Tergat
, the first man to win five times in a row; Kenenisa Bekele
, the only man to win both the short and long courses in the same year, which he did five years in a row, and whose win in 2008 gave him six long course championships, the most of anyone in history; Sonia O'Sullivan
, first athlete ever to win both the long and short course double in the same year; Grete Waitz
, the first woman to win five times (although Doris Brown Heritage
won the International Cross Country Championships five times between 1967 and 1971); Lynn Jennings
, who won three times; Derartu Tulu
, who won three times; Tirunesh Dibaba
, who won three times in the long course and once in the short course; Gete Wami
, who won twice at the long course and once at the short; and Edith Masai
, who won the short race three times. Tirunesh Dibaba
was also once the junior women's champion.
Many consider the World Cross Country Championships to be the most difficult races to win, even more difficult than the Olympic Games. At most major championships, the world's best distance runners are separated into a few races, i.e. 3000 m Steeplechase
, 5000 m, and 10,000 m. However, in the absence of the short course races, the World Cross Country Championships pit all runners against one another in only one race. Thus, the competition is quite fierce. It's no wonder, then, that several Olympic Champions have gotten their start as World Cross Country Champions: Carlos Lopes
, marathon, 1984; John Ngugi
, 5000 m, 1988; Khalid Skah
, 10,000 m, 1992; and Kenenisa Bekele
, 10,000 m, 2004 and 2008. Numerous other champions have medalled at the Olympic Games or the World Championships, or have set World Records.
Cross country running
Cross country running is a sport in which people run a race on open-air courses over natural terrain. The course, typically long, may include surfaces of grass and earth, pass through woodlands and open country, and include hills, flat ground and sometimes gravel road...
. Held annually and organised by International Association of Athletics Federations
International Association of Athletics Federations
The International Association of Athletics Federations is the international governing body for the sport of athletics. It was founded in 1912 at its first congress in Stockholm, Sweden by representatives from 17 national athletics federations as the International Amateur Athletics Federation...
(IAAF), it was inaugurated in 1973, when it replaced the International Cross Country Championships
International Cross Country Championships
The International Cross Country Championships was an annual international competition in cross country running. It was created in 1903 by the International Cross Country Union and it marked the first time that an annual international championships had been held for the sport.It began its life as...
. It will be an annual competition until 2011, when the IAAF will change it to a biennial event.
History
Traditionally, the World Cross Country Championships consisted of four races: one each for men (12 km) and for women (8 km); and one each for junior men (8 km) and for junior women (6 km). Scoring was done for individuals and for national teams. In the team competition, the finishing positions of the top six scorers from a team of up to nine are summed for the men and women, respectively, and the lowest score wins. For the junior races, the top three from a team of up to four are scored.The year 1998 saw the introduction of two new events at the World Cross Country Championships, a short race for men and a short race for women. The last time these 4 km races were held was 2006, and there are no public plans to bring them back.
In an incredible show of dominance, the senior men's team race has been won by Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
or Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
every year since 1981 in both the short and long races. These nations have enjoyed a similar strangle-hold on the junior men's races since 1982. In the senior men's 12 km race, Kenya won the world championships for an astounding 18 years in a row, from 1986 through 2003, a record of unequaled international success. Likewise on the women's side, only one other nation has won the long team race since 1991: Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
, in 1994. These African nations were not quite so dominant in the short races, but they have won every women's junior race since its introduction in 1989.
Several athletes have won two or more individual titles: Craig Virgin
Craig Virgin
Craig Steven Virgin is an American distance runner. He was born in Belleville, Illinois and grew up near Lebanon, Illinois...
, who is the only American to ever win at World Cross Country Championships, which he did twice; Carlos Lopes
Carlos Lopes
Carlos Alberto de Sousa Lopes, GCIH, is a former Portuguese long-distance athlete, winner of the marathon race at the 1984 Summer Olympics, in Los Angeles. He brought home Portugal's first ever Olympic gold medal along with a new Olympic record - 2:09.21.Born in Vildemoinhos, near Viseu, Portugal,...
, the first man to win three times (although Jack Holden
Jack Holden (athlete)
John Thomas Holden was a long-distance runner from England, who won four consecutive national titles in the men's marathon . He represented Great Britain at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London, where he did not finish...
won the International Cross Country Championships four times between 1933 and 1939, Gaston Roelants
Gaston Roelants
Gaston, Baron Roelants was a top steeplechaser in the early 1960s and a great cross-country runner. At the steeplechase he won the 1962 European and 1964 Olympic titles as well as setting two world records, 8 minutes 29.6 seconds in 1963 and 8 minutes 26.4 seconds in 1965.Roelants was born in...
between 1962 and 1972); John Ngugi
John Ngugi
John Ngugi Kamau , is a former Kenyan athlete, often called one of the greatest cross country runners of all time and winner of the 5000 metres at the 1988 Summer Olympics.-Career:...
, the first man to win five times; Paul Tergat
Paul Tergat
Paul Kibii Tergat is a Kenyan professional long distance runner. He held the world record in the marathon from 2003 to 2007, with a time of 2:04:55, and is regarded as one of the most accomplished long-distance runners of all time.Now concentrating exclusively on the marathon, Tergat won many...
, the first man to win five times in a row; Kenenisa Bekele
Kenenisa Bekele
Kenenisa Bekele is an Ethiopian long-distance runner, who holds the world record and Olympic record in both the 5000 metres and 10,000 metres events...
, the only man to win both the short and long courses in the same year, which he did five years in a row, and whose win in 2008 gave him six long course championships, the most of anyone in history; Sonia O'Sullivan
Sonia O'Sullivan
Sonia O'Sullivan in Cobh, County Cork. She began her running career in Ballymore Running Club which is located in the eastern side of Cobh Town. She was one of the world's leading female 5000 m runners for most of the 1990s and early first decade of the 21st century...
, first athlete ever to win both the long and short course double in the same year; Grete Waitz
Grete Waitz
Grete Waitz was a Norwegian marathon runner and former world record holder. Waitz won nine New York City Marathons between 1978 and 1988, more than any other runner in history...
, the first woman to win five times (although Doris Brown Heritage
Doris Brown Heritage
Doris Brown was born on September 17, 1942 in Tacoma, Washington.Brown went to Peninsula High School in Gig Harbor, Washington, graduating in 1960. She then attended Seattle Pacific University in Seattle, Washington where she earned a B.A. in 1964 and a M.S. in 1971.In 1966, Brown became the first...
won the International Cross Country Championships five times between 1967 and 1971); Lynn Jennings
Lynn Jennings
Lynn Jennings is a retired American athlete who competed mainly in the long distances. She is one of the best female American runners of all time, with a range from 1500 meters to the marathon. She excelled at all three of the sport's major disciplines--track, road, and cross country...
, who won three times; Derartu Tulu
Derartu Tulu
Derartu Tulu is an Ethiopian long distance track, road and marathon athlete.Derartu , a member of the Oromo ethnic group, grew up tending cattle in the village of Bekoji in the highlands of Arsi Province...
, who won three times; Tirunesh Dibaba
Tirunesh Dibaba
Tirunesh Dibaba also known as Tirunesh Dibaba Kenene is an Ethiopian long distance track athlete and the outdoor 5000 metres world record holder. She is the current Olympic 5000 metres and 10,000 metres champion...
, who won three times in the long course and once in the short course; Gete Wami
Gete Wami
Getenesh Wami is a female Ethiopian cross country and track runner....
, who won twice at the long course and once at the short; and Edith Masai
Edith Masai
Edith Chewangel Masai is a Kenyan former long-distance runner who specialised in cross country and track races, then road races in her late career. She represented Kenya at the 2004 Summer Olympics.. Sports Reference. Retrieved on 2011-11-07...
, who won the short race three times. Tirunesh Dibaba
Tirunesh Dibaba
Tirunesh Dibaba also known as Tirunesh Dibaba Kenene is an Ethiopian long distance track athlete and the outdoor 5000 metres world record holder. She is the current Olympic 5000 metres and 10,000 metres champion...
was also once the junior women's champion.
Many consider the World Cross Country Championships to be the most difficult races to win, even more difficult than the Olympic Games. At most major championships, the world's best distance runners are separated into a few races, i.e. 3000 m Steeplechase
Steeplechase (athletics)
The steeplechase is an obstacle race in athletics, which derives its name from the steeplechase in horse racing.-Rules:The length of the race is usually 3000 m; junior events are 2000 m, as women's events formerly were. The circuit has four ordinary barriers and one water jump. Over 3000 m, each...
, 5000 m, and 10,000 m. However, in the absence of the short course races, the World Cross Country Championships pit all runners against one another in only one race. Thus, the competition is quite fierce. It's no wonder, then, that several Olympic Champions have gotten their start as World Cross Country Champions: Carlos Lopes
Carlos Lopes
Carlos Alberto de Sousa Lopes, GCIH, is a former Portuguese long-distance athlete, winner of the marathon race at the 1984 Summer Olympics, in Los Angeles. He brought home Portugal's first ever Olympic gold medal along with a new Olympic record - 2:09.21.Born in Vildemoinhos, near Viseu, Portugal,...
, marathon, 1984; John Ngugi
John Ngugi
John Ngugi Kamau , is a former Kenyan athlete, often called one of the greatest cross country runners of all time and winner of the 5000 metres at the 1988 Summer Olympics.-Career:...
, 5000 m, 1988; Khalid Skah
Khalid Skah
Khalid Skah is a Moroccan athlete, winner of 10 000 m at the 1992 Summer Olympics.Born in Midelt, Morocco, Khalid Skah established himself first as a good cross country runner by winning the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in 1990 and 1991.His first major tournament on track was 1991 World...
, 10,000 m, 1992; and Kenenisa Bekele
Kenenisa Bekele
Kenenisa Bekele is an Ethiopian long-distance runner, who holds the world record and Olympic record in both the 5000 metres and 10,000 metres events...
, 10,000 m, 2004 and 2008. Numerous other champions have medalled at the Olympic Games or the World Championships, or have set World Records.
Events
| Year | Host | Countries | Athletes | Men's Champion | Women’s Champion | Junior Men’s Champion | Junior Women’s Champion | Men’s Short Course Champion | Women’s Short Course Champion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 1973 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 1st IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held on 17 March 1973 in Waregem, Belgium.-Individual:-Team:- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :... |
, Waregem Waregem Waregem is a municipality located in the Belgian province of West Flanders. The municipality lies in the valley of the Leie River, between Kortrijk and Ghent. It is part of the arrondissement of Kortrijk and comprises the towns of Beveren, Desselgem, Sint-Eloois-Vijve and Waregem proper. On... |
21 | 287 |  Spain |
|||||
| 1974 1974 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 2nd IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held on March 16, 1974 in Monza, Italy.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- External links :*... |
, Monza Monza Monza is a city and comune on the river Lambro, a tributary of the Po, in the Lombardy region of Italy some 15 km north-northeast of Milan. It is the capital of the Province of Monza and Brianza. It is best known for its Grand Prix motor racing circuit, the Autodromo Nazionale Monza.On June... |
23 | 269 | ||||||
| 1975 1975 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 3rd IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held on March 16, 1975 in Rabat, Morocco.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- External links :*... |
, Rabat Rabat Rabat , is the capital and third largest city of the Kingdom of Morocco with a population of approximately 650,000... |
26 | 316 | ||||||
| 1976 1976 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 4th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held on February 28, 1976 in Chepstow, Wales.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- External links :*... |
, Chepstow Chepstow Chepstow is a town in Monmouthshire, Wales, adjoining the border with Gloucestershire, England. It is located on the River Wye, close to its confluence with the River Severn, and close to the western end of the Severn Bridge on the M48 motorway... |
21 | 306 | ||||||
| 1977 1977 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 5th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held on March 20, 1977 in Düsseldorf, Germany.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- External links :*... |
, Düsseldorf Düsseldorf Düsseldorf is the capital city of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia and centre of the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region.Düsseldorf is an important international business and financial centre and renowned for its fashion and trade fairs. Located centrally within the European Megalopolis, the... |
22 | 346 | ||||||
| 1978 1978 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 6th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held on March 26, 1978 in Glasgow, Scotland.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- External links :**... |
, Glasgow Glasgow Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands... |
27 | 360 |  Romania |
|||||
| 1979 1979 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 7th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held on March 25, 1979 in Limerick, Ireland.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- External links :**... |
, Limerick Limerick Limerick is the third largest city in the Republic of Ireland, and the principal city of County Limerick and Ireland's Mid-West Region. It is the fifth most populous city in all of Ireland. When taking the extra-municipal suburbs into account, Limerick is the third largest conurbation in the... |
27 | 383 |  Spain |
|||||
| 1980 1980 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 8th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held on March 9, 1980 in Paris, France.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- External links :**... |
, Paris Paris Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region... |
28 | 381 | ||||||
| 1981 1981 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 9th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held on March 28, 1981 in Madrid, Spain. There were a total number of 457 participating athletes from 39 countries.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :... |
, Madrid Madrid Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan... |
39 | 460 |  Ethiopia |
|||||
| 1982 1982 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 10th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held on March 21, 1982 in Rome, Italy. There were a total number of 380 participating athletes from 33 countries.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :... |
, Rome Rome Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half... |
33 | 382 | Ethiopia |
Ethiopia |
||||
| 1983 1983 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 11th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held on March 20, 1983 in Gateshead, England. There were a total number of 431 participating athletes from 33 countries.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :... |
, Gateshead Gateshead Gateshead is a town in Tyne and Wear, England and is the main settlement in the Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead. Historically a part of County Durham, it lies on the southern bank of the River Tyne opposite Newcastle upon Tyne and together they form the urban core of Tyneside... |
35 | 432 | Ethiopia |
Ethiopia |
||||
| 1984 1984 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 12th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held on March 25, 1984 in the Meadowlands Sports Complex . There were a total number of 442 participating athletes from 40 countries.- Individual :- Team :... |
, East Rutherford East Rutherford, New Jersey East Rutherford is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 8,913. It is an inner-ring suburb of New York City, located west of Midtown Manhattan.... |
40 | 443 | Ethiopia |
Ethiopia |
||||
| 1985 1985 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 13th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held on March 24, 1985 in Lisbon, Portugal. There were a total number of 570 participating athletes from 50 countries.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :... |
, Lisbon Lisbon Lisbon is the capital city and largest city of Portugal with a population of 545,245 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Lisbon extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of 3 million on an area of , making it the 9th most populous urban... |
50 | 574 | Ethiopia |
Ethiopia |
||||
| 1986 1986 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 14th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held on March 23, 1986 in Colombier . There were a total number of 670 participating athletes from 57 countries.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :... |
, Colombier, Neuchâtel Colombier, Neuchâtel Colombier is a municipality in the district of Boudry in the canton of Neuchâtel in Switzerland.-History:Colombier is first mentioned in 1228 as Columbier.... |
57 | 671 | Ethiopia |
|||||
| 1987 1987 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 15th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held on March 22, 1987 in Warsaw, Poland. There were a total number of 576 participating athletes from 47 countries.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :... |
, Warsaw Warsaw Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River, roughly from the Baltic Sea and from the Carpathian Mountains. Its population in 2010 was estimated at 1,716,855 residents with a greater metropolitan area of 2,631,902 residents, making Warsaw the 10th most... |
47 | 576 |  Ethiopia |
|||||
| 1988 1988 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 16th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held on March 26, 1988 at the Ellerslie Racecourse in Auckland, New Zealand.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- External links :**... |
, Auckland Auckland The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world... |
41 | 443 | ||||||
| 1989 1989 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 17th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held on March 19, 1989 in Stavanger, Norway.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- External links :**... |
, Stavanger Stavanger Stavanger is a city and municipality in the county of Rogaland, Norway.Stavanger municipality has a population of 126,469. There are 197,852 people living in the Stavanger conurbation, making Stavanger the fourth largest city, but the third largest urban area, in Norway... |
41 | 568 | ||||||
| 1990 1990 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 18th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held on March 24, 1990 in Aix-les-Bains, France.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- External links :**... |
, Aix-les-Bains Aix-les-Bains Aix-les-Bains is a commune in the Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.It is situated on the shore of Lac du Bourget, by rail north of Chambéry.-Geography:... |
59 | 618 | ||||||
| 1991 1991 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 19th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held on March 24, 1991 in Antwerp, Belgium.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- External links :**- References :... |
, Antwerp | 51 | 633 | ||||||
| 1992 1992 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 20th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held on March 21, 1992 in Boston, United States.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- External links :**... |
, Boston Boston Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had... |
53 | 580 | Ethiopia |
|||||
| 1993 1993 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 21st IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held on March 28, 1993 in Amorebieta, Spain.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- External links :**... |
, Amorebieta | 54 | 653 | ||||||
| 1994 1994 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 22nd IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held on March 26, 1994 in Budapest, Hungary.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- External links :**... |
, Budapest Budapest Budapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2011, Budapest had 1,733,685 inhabitants, down from its 1989 peak of 2,113,645 due to suburbanization. The Budapest Commuter... |
60 | 760 | ||||||
| 1995 1995 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 23rd IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held on 25 March 1995 in Durham, England.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- External links :**... |
, Durham Durham Durham is a city in north east England. It is within the County Durham local government district, and is the county town of the larger ceremonial county... |
58 | 619 | ||||||
| 1996 1996 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 24th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held on 23 March 1996 in Stellenbosch, South Africa.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- External links :... |
, Stellenbosch | 65 | 669 | ||||||
| 1997 1997 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 25th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held on 23 March 1997 in Turin, Italy.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- External links :**... |
, Turin Turin Turin is a city and major business and cultural centre in northern Italy, capital of the Piedmont region, located mainly on the left bank of the Po River and surrounded by the Alpine arch. The population of the city proper is 909,193 while the population of the urban area is estimated by Eurostat... |
72 | 725 | ||||||
| 1998 1998 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 26th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held 21-22 March 1998 in Marrakech, Morocco.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :... |
, Marrakesh | 66 | 707 | ||||||
| 1999 1999 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 27th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held 27-28 March 1999 in Belfast, Northern Ireland.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :... |
, Belfast Belfast Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly... |
66 | 759 | ||||||
| 2000 2000 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 28th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held 18-19 March 2000 in Vilamoura, Portugal.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :... |
, Vilamoura Vilamoura Vilamoura is in the municipality of Loulé, in the Algarve, Portugal. Its boundaries lie within the parish of Quarteira. Vilamoura is a purpose built resort and Marina which was started from scratch by a wealthy banker from Porto, Cupertino de Miranda. The resort was started in 1974 and is still... |
76 | 806 | ||||||
| 2001 2001 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 29th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held 24–25 March 2001 in Ostend, Belgium.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :... |
, Ostend Ostend Ostend is a Belgian city and municipality located in the Flemish province of West Flanders. It comprises the boroughs of Mariakerke , Stene and Zandvoorde, and the city of Ostend proper – the largest on the Belgian coast.... |
67 | 790 | ||||||
| 2002 2002 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 30th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held 23-24 March 2002 in Dublin, Republic of Ireland.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :... |
, Dublin | 59 | 664 | ||||||
| 2003 2003 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 31st IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held 29-30 March 2003 in Lausanne and Avenches , Switzerland.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :... |
, Lausanne Lausanne Lausanne is a city in Romandy, the French-speaking part of Switzerland, and is the capital of the canton of Vaud. The seat of the district of Lausanne, the city is situated on the shores of Lake Geneva . It faces the French town of Évian-les-Bains, with the Jura mountains to its north-west... |
65 | 605 | ||||||
| 2004 2004 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 32nd IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held 19-20 March 2004 in Brussels, the capital of Belgium.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :... |
, Brussels Brussels Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union... |
72 | 673 | ||||||
| 2005 2005 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 33rd IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held 19-20 March 2005 in Saint-Étienne and Saint-Galmier , France.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :... |
, Saint-Galmier Saint-Galmier Saint-Galmier is a commune in the Loire department in central France.Its residents are called Baldomériens.-Water:Saint Galmier is a spa town and the source of Badoit mineral water... |
72 | 695 | ||||||
| 2006 2006 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 34th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held 1-2 April 2006 in Fukuoka, Japan.The event was once again dominated by Ethiopian and Kenyan runners and also Eritrean runners... |
, Fukuoka Fukuoka, Fukuoka is the capital city of Fukuoka Prefecture and is situated on the northern shore of the island of Kyushu in Japan.Voted number 14 in a 2010 poll of the World's Most Livable Cities, Fukuoka is praised for its green spaces in a metropolitan setting. It is the most populous city in Kyushu, followed by... |
59 | 574 | ||||||
| 2007 2007 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 35th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held in Mombasa, Kenya on 24 March, 2007. Four races took place, one for men, women, junior men and junior women respectively. All races encompassed both individual and team competition... |
, Mombasa Mombasa Mombasa is the second-largest city in Kenya. Lying next to the Indian Ocean, it has a major port and an international airport. The city also serves as the centre of the coastal tourism industry.... |
63 | 470 | ||||||
| 2008 2008 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 36th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held in the Holyrood Park at Edinburgh, Scotland on 30 March 2008. Four races took place, one for men, women, junior men and junior women respectively. All races encompassed both individual and team competition... |
, Edinburgh Edinburgh Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area... |
57 | 448 | ||||||
| 2009 2009 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 37th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held in the Al Bisharat Golf Course at Amman, Jordan on 28 March 2009. Four races took place, one for men, women, junior men and junior women respectively. All races encompassed both individual and team competition... |
, Amman Amman Amman is the capital of Jordan. It is the country's political, cultural and commercial centre and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. The Greater Amman area has a population of 2,842,629 as of 2010. The population of Amman is expected to jump from 2.8 million to almost... |
59 | 461 | ||||||
| 2010 2010 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 2010 IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held at Myślęcinek Park in Bydgoszcz, Poland on 28 March 2010. It was the first time in over twenty years that Poland hosted the annual championships, having previously held them in Warsaw in 1987. Kenyan runners dominated the competition, taking... |
, Bydgoszcz | ||||||||
| 2011 2011 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 2011 IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held in Punta Umbría, Spain on 20 March 2011.-Preparation:The United States had expressed an interest in hosting the competition, but Punta Umbria was chosen as the host at the IAAF Council Meeting in November 2009... |
, Punta Umbría Punta Umbría Punta Umbría is a town and municipality in the province of Huelva, part of the Spanish autonomous community of Andalusia.The Punta in its name comes from the long point going out to the sea from the beach.... |
Individual Champions
| Year | Men's long course | Men's short course | Women's long course | Women's short course |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 1973 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 1st IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held on 17 March 1973 in Waregem, Belgium.-Individual:-Team:- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :... |
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| 1974 1974 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 2nd IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held on March 16, 1974 in Monza, Italy.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- External links :*... |
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| 1975 1975 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 3rd IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held on March 16, 1975 in Rabat, Morocco.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- External links :*... |
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| 1976 1976 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 4th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held on February 28, 1976 in Chepstow, Wales.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- External links :*... |
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| 1977 1977 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 5th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held on March 20, 1977 in Düsseldorf, Germany.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- External links :*... |
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| 1978 1978 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 6th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held on March 26, 1978 in Glasgow, Scotland.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- External links :**... |
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| 1979 1979 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 7th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held on March 25, 1979 in Limerick, Ireland.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- External links :**... |
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| 1980 1980 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 8th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held on March 9, 1980 in Paris, France.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- External links :**... |
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| 1981 1981 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 9th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held on March 28, 1981 in Madrid, Spain. There were a total number of 457 participating athletes from 39 countries.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :... |
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| 1982 1982 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 10th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held on March 21, 1982 in Rome, Italy. There were a total number of 380 participating athletes from 33 countries.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :... |
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| 1983 1983 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 11th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held on March 20, 1983 in Gateshead, England. There were a total number of 431 participating athletes from 33 countries.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :... |
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| 1984 1984 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 12th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held on March 25, 1984 in the Meadowlands Sports Complex . There were a total number of 442 participating athletes from 40 countries.- Individual :- Team :... |
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| 1985 1985 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 13th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held on March 24, 1985 in Lisbon, Portugal. There were a total number of 570 participating athletes from 50 countries.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :... |
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| 1986 1986 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 14th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held on March 23, 1986 in Colombier . There were a total number of 670 participating athletes from 57 countries.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :... |
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| 1987 1987 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 15th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held on March 22, 1987 in Warsaw, Poland. There were a total number of 576 participating athletes from 47 countries.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :... |
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| 1988 1988 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 16th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held on March 26, 1988 at the Ellerslie Racecourse in Auckland, New Zealand.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- External links :**... |
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| 1989 1989 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 17th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held on March 19, 1989 in Stavanger, Norway.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- External links :**... |
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| 1990 1990 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 18th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held on March 24, 1990 in Aix-les-Bains, France.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- External links :**... |
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| 1991 1991 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 19th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held on March 24, 1991 in Antwerp, Belgium.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- External links :**- References :... |
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| 1992 1992 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 20th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held on March 21, 1992 in Boston, United States.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- External links :**... |
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| 1993 1993 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 21st IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held on March 28, 1993 in Amorebieta, Spain.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- External links :**... |
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| 1994 1994 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 22nd IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held on March 26, 1994 in Budapest, Hungary.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- External links :**... |
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| 1995 1995 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 23rd IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held on 25 March 1995 in Durham, England.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- External links :**... |
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| 1996 1996 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 24th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held on 23 March 1996 in Stellenbosch, South Africa.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- External links :... |
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| 1997 1997 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 25th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held on 23 March 1997 in Turin, Italy.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- External links :**... |
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| 1998 1998 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 26th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held 21-22 March 1998 in Marrakech, Morocco.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :... |
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| 1999 1999 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 27th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held 27-28 March 1999 in Belfast, Northern Ireland.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :... |
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| 2000 2000 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 28th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held 18-19 March 2000 in Vilamoura, Portugal.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :... |
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| 2001 2001 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 29th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held 24–25 March 2001 in Ostend, Belgium.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :... |
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| 2002 2002 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 30th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held 23-24 March 2002 in Dublin, Republic of Ireland.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :... |
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| 2003 2003 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 31st IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held 29-30 March 2003 in Lausanne and Avenches , Switzerland.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :... |
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| 2004 2004 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 32nd IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held 19-20 March 2004 in Brussels, the capital of Belgium.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :... |
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| 2005 2005 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 33rd IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held 19-20 March 2005 in Saint-Étienne and Saint-Galmier , France.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :... |
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| 2006 2006 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 34th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held 1-2 April 2006 in Fukuoka, Japan.The event was once again dominated by Ethiopian and Kenyan runners and also Eritrean runners... |
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| 2007 2007 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 35th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held in Mombasa, Kenya on 24 March, 2007. Four races took place, one for men, women, junior men and junior women respectively. All races encompassed both individual and team competition... |
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| 2008 2008 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 36th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held in the Holyrood Park at Edinburgh, Scotland on 30 March 2008. Four races took place, one for men, women, junior men and junior women respectively. All races encompassed both individual and team competition... |
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| 2009 2009 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 37th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held in the Al Bisharat Golf Course at Amman, Jordan on 28 March 2009. Four races took place, one for men, women, junior men and junior women respectively. All races encompassed both individual and team competition... |
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| 2010 2010 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 2010 IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held at Myślęcinek Park in Bydgoszcz, Poland on 28 March 2010. It was the first time in over twenty years that Poland hosted the annual championships, having previously held them in Warsaw in 1987. Kenyan runners dominated the competition, taking... |
||||
| 2011 2011 IAAF World Cross Country Championships The 2011 IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held in Punta Umbría, Spain on 20 March 2011.-Preparation:The United States had expressed an interest in hosting the competition, but Punta Umbria was chosen as the host at the IAAF Council Meeting in November 2009... |