Until 1973 there was not official World Champions in Cross Country. However, the winner of the "International Cross of Nations" was considered as such. This race began in 1903 (1967 for women) at Hamilton, Scotland, but only the British countries (England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales) took part on the first editions. France were allowed to enter in 1907 and until 1948 all the winners had been either British or French. In 1973, the International Association (IAAF) organized the first officially declared World Championships. Since 2011, it is held every two years. Men's race is about 12 km long. A short race (about 4 km) was also held between 1998 and 2005.
Ed. |
Site |
Year |
Gold |
Silver |
Bronze |
XLIV |
Bathurst, AUS |
2023 |
Jacob Kiplimo, UGA |
Berihu Aregawi, ETH |
Joshua Cheptegei, UGA |
2021 POSTPONED DUE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC |
XLIII |
Aarhus, DEN |
2019 |
Joshua Cheptegei, UGA |
Jacob Kiplimo, UGA |
Geoffrey Kipsang Kamworor, KEN |
XLII |
Kampala, UGA |
2017 |
Geoffrey Kipsang Kamworor, KEN |
Leonard Kiplimo Barsoton, KEN |
Abadi Hadis, ETH |
XLI |
Guiyang, CHN |
2015 |
Geoffrey Kipsang Kamworor, KEN |
Bedan Karoki Muchiri, KEN |
Muktar Edris, ETH |
XL |
Bydgoszcz, POL |
2013 |
Japhet Kipyegon Korir, KEN |
Imane Marga, ETH |
Teklemariam Medhin, ERI |
XXXIX |
Punta Umbría, ESP |
2011 |
Imane Marga, ETH |
Paul Kipngetich Tanui, KEN |
Vincent Kiprop Chepkok, KEN |
XXXVIII |
Bydgoszcz, POL |
2010 |
Joseph Ebuya, KEN |
Teklemariam Medhin, ERI |
Moses Ndiema Kipsiro, UGA |
XXXVII |
Amman, JOR |
2009 |
Gebre Gebremariam, ETH |
Moses Ndiema Kipsiro, UGA |
Zersenay Tadese, ERI |
XXXVI |
Edinburgh, GBR |
2008 |
Kenenisa Bekele, ETH |
Leonard Patrick Komon, KEN |
Zersenay Tadese, ERI |
XXXV |
Mombasa, KEN |
2007 |
Zersenay Tadese, ERI |
Moses Mosop, KEN |
Bernard Kipyego, KEN |
XXXIV |
Fukuoka, JPN |
2006 |
Kenenisa Bekele, ETH |
Sileshi Sihine, ETH |
Martin Irungu Mathathi, KEN |
XXXIII |
St. Etienne, FRA |
2005 |
Kenenisa Bekele, ETH |
Zersenay Tadesse, ERI |
Ahmad Hassan, QAT |
XXXII |
Brussels, BEL |
2004 |
Kenenisa Bekele, ETH |
Gebre Gebremariam, ETH |
Sileshi Sihine, ETH |
XXXI |
Lausanne, SUI |
2003 |
Kenenisa Bekele, ETH |
Patrick Ivuti, KEN |
Gebre Gebremariam, ETH |
XXX |
Dublin, IRL |
2002 |
Kenenisa Bekele, ETH |
John Yuda, TAN |
Wilbeforce Talel, KEN |
XXIX |
Ostende, BEL |
2001 |
Mohammed Mourhit, BEL |
Sergiy Lebid, UKR |
Charles Kamathi, KEN |
XXVIII |
Vilamoura, POR |
2000 |
Mohammed Mourhit, BEL |
Assefa Mezgebu, ETH |
Paul Tergat, KEN |
XXVII |
Belfast, NI |
1999 |
Paul Tergat, KEN |
Patrick Ivuti, KEN |
Paulo Guerra, POR |
XXVI |
Marrakech, MAR |
1998 |
Paul Tergat, KEN |
Paul Koech, KEN |
Assefa Mezegebu, ETH |
XXV |
Turin, ITA |
1997 |
Paul Tergat, KEN |
Salah Hissou, MAR |
Thomas Nyariki, KEN |
XXIV |
Cape Town, RSA |
1996 |
Paul Tergat, KEN |
Salah Hissou, MAR |
Ismael Kirui, KEN |
XXIII |
Durham, Eng |
1995 |
Paul Tergat, KEN |
Ismael Kirui, KEN |
Salah Hissou, MAR |
XXII |
Budapest, HUN |
1994 |
William Sigei, KEN |
Simon Chemoiywo, KEN |
Haile Gebrselassie, ETH |
XXI |
Amorebieta, ESP |
1993 |
William Sigei, KEN |
Dominic Kirui, KEN |
Ismael Kirui, KEN |
XX |
Boston, USA |
1992 |
John Ngugi, KEN |
William Mutwol, KEN |
Fita Bayesa, ETH |
XIX |
Antwerp, BEL |
1991 |
Khalid Skah, MAR |
Moses Tanui, KEN |
Simon Karori, KEN |
XVIII |
Aix-les-Bains, FRA |
1990 |
Khalid Skah, MAR |
Moses Tanui, KEN |
Julius Korir, KEN |
XVII |
Stavanger, NOR |
1989 |
John Ngugi, KEN |
Tim Hutchings, GBR |
Wilfred O. Kirochi, KEN |
XVI |
Auckland, NZL |
1988 |
John Ngugi, KEN |
Paul Kipkoech, KEN |
William Koskei, KEN |
XV |
Warsaw, POL |
1987 |
John Ngugi, KEN |
Paul Kipkoech, KEN |
Paul Arpin, FRA |
XIV |
Neuchatel, SUI |
1986 |
John Ngugi, KEN |
Abebe Mekonnen, ETH |
Joseph Kiptum, KEN |
XIII |
Lisboa, POR |
1985 |
Carlos Lopes, POR |
Paul Kipkoech, KEN |
Wodajo Bulti, ETH |
XII |
New York, USA |
1984 |
Carlos Lopes, POR |
Tim Hutchings, Eng |
Steve Jones, Wal |
XI |
Gateshead, Eng |
1983 |
Bekele Debele, ETH |
Carlos Lopes, POR |
Some Muge, KEN |
X |
Roma, ITA |
1982 |
Mohamed Kedir, ETH |
Alberto Salazar, USA |
Rod Dixon, NZL |
IX |
Madrid, ESP |
1981 |
Craig Virgin, USA |
Mohamed Kedir, ETH |
Fernando Mamede, POR |
VIII |
Paris, FRA |
1980 |
Craig Virgin, USA |
Hans Orthmann, FRG |
Nick Rose, Eng |
VII |
Limerick, IRL |
1979 |
John Treacy, IRL |
Bronislaw Malinowski, POL |
Aleksandr Antipov, URS |
VI |
Glasgow, Sco |
1978 |
John Treacy, IRL |
Aleksandr Antipov, URS |
Karol Lismont, BEL |
V |
Düsseldorf, FRG |
1977 |
Leon Schots, BEL |
Carlos Lopes, POR |
Detlef Uhlemann, FRG |
IV |
Chepstow, Wal |
1976 |
Carlos Lopes, POR |
Tony Simmons, Eng |
Bernie Ford, Eng |
III |
Rabat, MAR |
1975 |
Ian Stewart, Sco |
Mariano Haro, ESP |
Bill Rodgers, USA |
II |
Monza, ITA |
1974 |
Erik De Beck, BEL |
Mariano Haro, ESP |
Karel Lismont, BEL |
I |
Waregen, BEL |
1973 |
Pekka Päivärinta, FIN |
Mariano Haro, ESP |
Rod Dixon, NZL |
The team competition is won by the country with the fewest points. Every runner adds to his country total the same number of points as his place in the finish line (the winner 1 point, the second 2 points...). Though a country can compete with 6 athletes, only the first four runners of each country count. The record is held by Kenya (12 points in 1998 & 1999).
Ed. |
Site |
Year |
Gold |
Silver |
Bronze |
XLIV |
Bathurst, AUS |
2023 |
Kenya -22 |
Ethiopia -32 |
Uganda -37 |
Geoffrey Kamworor, Kibiwott Kandie, Daniel Ebenyo, Sebastian Sawe (4+5+6+7 = 22) |
2021 POSTPONED DUE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC |
XLIII |
Aarhus, DEN |
2019 |
Uganda -20 |
Kenya -43 |
Ethiopia -46 |
Joshua Cheptegei, Jacob Kiplimo, Thomas Ayeko, Joel Ayeko (1+2+7+10 = 20) |
XLII |
Kampala, UGA |
2017 |
Ethiopia -21 |
Kenya -22 |
Uganda -72 |
Abadi Hadis, Jemal Yimer, Muktar Edris, Ibrahim Jeilan (3+4+6+8 = 21) |
XLI |
Guiyang, CHN |
2015 |
Ethiopia -20 |
Kenya -20 |
Bahrain -54 |
Muktar Edris, Hagos Gebrhiwet, Tamirat Tola, Atsedu Tsegay (3+4+6+7 = 20) |
XL |
Bydgoszcz, POL |
2013 |
Ethiopia -38 |
United States -52 |
Kenya -54 |
Imane Merga, Feyisa Lilesa, Abera Chane, Tesfaye Abera (2+9+13+14 = 38) |
XXXIX |
Punta Umbría, ESP |
2011 |
Kenya -14 |
Ethiopia -38 |
Uganda -49 |
Paul Kipngetich Tanui, Vincent Kiprop Chepkok, Mathew Kipkoech Kisorio, Geoffrey Kiprono Mutai (2+3+4+5 = 14) |
XXXVIII |
Bydgoszcz, POL |
2010 |
Kenya -20 |
Eritrea -46 |
Ethiopia -69 |
Joseph Ebuya, Leonard Patrick Komon, Richard Kipkemboi Mateelong, Paul Kipngetich Tanui (1+4+7+8 = 20) |
XXXVII |
Amman, JOR |
2009 |
Kenya -28 |
Ethiopia -28 |
Eritrea -50 |
Leonard Patrick Komon, Mathew Kipkoech Kisorio, Mark Kosgey Kiptoo, Moses Cheruiyot Mosop (4+6+7+11 = 28) |
XXXVI |
Edinburgh, GBR |
2008 |
Kenya -39 |
Ethiopia -105 |
Qatar -144 |
Leonard Patrick Komon, Joseph Ebuya, Moses Ndiema Masai, Gideon Lekumok Ngatuny, Bernard Kiprop Kipyego, Hosea Mwok Macharinyag (2+4+5+7+10+11 = 39) |
XXXV |
Mombasa, KEN |
2007 |
Kenya -28 |
Morocco -146 |
Uganda -185 |
Moses Mosop, Bernard Kipyego, Gideon Ngatuny, Hosea Macharinyang, Michael Kipyego, Cheruiyot Soi (2+3+4+5+6+8 = 28) |
XXXIV |
Fukuoka, JPN |
2006 |
Kenya |
Eritrea |
Ethiopia |
Martin Irungu Mathathi, Mike Kipruto Kigen, Hosea Mwok Macharinyang,
Simon Koros Arusei (3+5+6+10 = 24) |
XXXIII |
St. Etienne, FRA |
2005 |
Ethiopia |
Kenya |
Qatar |
XXXII |
Brussels, BEL |
2004 |
Ethiopia |
Kenya |
Eritrea |
XXXI |
Lausanne, SUI |
2003 |
Kenya |
Ethiopia |
Morocco |
XXX |
Dublin, IRL |
2002 |
Kenya |
Ethiopia |
Morocco |
XXIX |
Ostende, BEL |
2001 |
Kenya |
France |
United States |
XXVIII |
Vilamoura, POR |
2000 |
Kenya |
Ethiopia |
Portugal |
XXVII |
Belfast, NI |
1999 |
Kenya |
Ethiopia |
Portugal |
XXVI |
Marrakech, MAR |
1998 |
Kenya |
Ethiopia |
Morocco |
XXV |
Turin, ITA |
1997 |
Kenya |
Morocco |
Ethiopia |
XXIV |
Cape Town, RSA |
1996 |
Kenya |
Morocco |
Ethiopia |
XXIII |
Durham, Eng |
1995 |
Kenya |
Morocco |
Spain |
XXII |
Budapest, HUN |
1994 |
Kenya |
Morocco |
Ethiopia |
XXI |
Amorebieta, ESP |
1993 |
Kenya |
Ethiopia |
Portugal |
XX |
Boston, USA |
1992 |
Kenya |
France |
Great Britain |
XIX |
Antwerp, BEL |
1991 |
Kenya |
Ethiopia |
Spain |
XVIII |
Aix-les-Bains, FRA |
1990 |
Kenya |
Ethiopia |
Spain |
XVII |
Stavanger, NOR |
1989 |
Kenya |
Great Britain |
Ethiopia |
XVI |
Auckland, NZL |
1988 |
Kenya |
Ethiopia |
France |
XV |
Warsaw, POL |
1987 |
Kenya |
England |
Ethiopia |
XIV |
Neuchatel, SUI |
1986 |
Kenya |
Ethiopia |
United States |
XIII |
Lisboa, POR |
1985 |
Ethiopia |
Kenya |
United States |
XII |
New York, USA |
1984 |
Ethiopia |
United States |
Portugal |
XI |
Gateshead, Eng |
1983 |
Ethiopia |
United States |
Kenya |
X |
Roma, ITA |
1982 |
Ethiopia |
England |
Soviet Union |
IX |
Madrid, ESP |
1981 |
Ethiopia |
United States |
Kenya |
VIII |
Paris, FRA |
1980 |
England |
United States |
Belgium |
VII |
Limerick, IRL |
1979 |
England |
Ireland |
Soviet Union |
VI |
Glasgow, Sco |
1978 |
France |
United States |
England |
V |
Düsseldorf, FRG |
1977 |
Belgium |
England |
Soviet Union |
IV |
Chepstow, Wal |
1976 |
England |
Belgium |
France |
III |
Rabat, MAR |
1975 |
New Zealand |
England |
Belgium |
II |
Monza, ITA |
1974 |
Belgium |
England |
France |
I |
Waregen, BEL |
1973 |
Belgium |
Soviet Union |
New Zealand |
* Those with grey background won the title when it was called "Cross of Nations". Six more runners won that competition twice.