© Copyright – 2022 – Athletics Illustrated
The World Athletics Council announced the hosts for two of the World Athletics Cross Country Championships happening in 2024 and 2026.
The 2024 championships are due to take place in Medulin and Pula, Croatia, while the 2026 edition is set for Tallahassee, Florida.
Next year’s championships are scheduled for Bathurst, Australia, and will take place on Feb. 18 2023. THe 2021 and 2022 editions were postponed.
Croatian Athletics Federation President Ivan Vestic said, “The great honour was given to Croatia and the Croatian Athletics Federation by awarding us the hosting of the 2024 World Cross Country Championships.
In honor of @WorldAthletics awarding the 2026 World Cross Country Championships to @Visit_Tally’s Apalachee Regional Park, here’s a morning mile view from a few years ago on the course. #WXC2026 #CrossCountry #VisitTally pic.twitter.com/gE0waWB1gn
— Michael Scott (@urimiscott) July 15, 2022
“We are thankful to World Athletics for the trust shown and now it is up to us in the next 18 months to present Croatia, Istria, Medulin and Pula, and the World Cross Country Championships, at the highest possible level.
“In 2002, the best Europeans ran in Medulin, and now, in 2024, the world’s best athletes will run on the most beautiful cross track in the world.”
The Tallahassee edition in 2026 adds to the roster of world-class track and field events being awarded to the US. The 2028 Olympics are to be held in Los Angeles 44 years after the LA Games in 1984.
“Tallahassee, Florida, is beyond excited to have been chosen to host the 2026 World Athletics Cross Country Championships,” said Visit Tallahassee executive director Kerri Post.
“Over 10 years ago we set out to build a premier cross-country facility and create a new event standard to drive more athlete participation, attract more spectators and fans, and expand the visibility and viability of the sport of cross country.
“The World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee will rival the largest athletics competitions around the world and leave a lasting footprint on the sport.”
