Contrasting with the flat and flood-risk lands of Florida State is the red-hill nature of the Tallahassee lands. The traditional territory of the Muskogean and Seminole people.

Tallassee’s traditional lands

Tallahassee means “old fields” or “old town,” referring to abandoned agricultural lands the Creek people found when they moved into the area. The previous people were the Apalachee. In January, the world will visit for the 2026 World Cross Country Championships.

Team Great Britain & Northern Ireland will toe the line at the meet that takes place in Apalachee Regional Park. The 46th edition of the meet will be held on Saturday, January 10.

At least 59 countries will be competing.

Tallahassee will be the third time the US has hosted the World Athletics Cross Country Championships and the first since 1992, when the event was held in Boston, MA. New Jersey also hosted the championship in 1984 at the Meadowlands horse racing track.

Team GB & NI

A team of 20 athletes has been selected for the Novuna Great Britain and Northern Ireland (GB & NI) team for the World Cross Country in Tallahassee, Florida on the 10th of January.

The team selected is to fulfil the policy’s aims: to achieve team medal success at the event, support senior athletes in preparation for future global track success, and provide opportunities for junior athletes to develop.

The senior women’s team will see European silver medallist Megan Keith (coach:Ross Cairns, club:Inverness) lead the quartet in the USA. Joining her are fellow Scot Phobe Anderson (Laurie Henes, Herne Hill), Verity Ockenden (Swansea) and Poppy Tank (City of Plymouth).

In the senior men’s squad, Rory Leonard (Andrew Hobdell, Morpeth), who finished 17th at the European Cross Country Championships, makes the squad alongside Matthew Ramsden (Edmund Finucane, Blackburn), who finished an impressive sixth in the U23 race in Portugal. Jacob Cann (Western Tempo) and David Mullarkey (Andrew Henerson, Leeds City), a double World University medallist based in the States, complete the team.

In the mixed relay, returning from the historic bronze medallists from 2024, Alex Millard (Mark Coogan, Invicta East Kent) and Adam Fogg (Cory Leslie, Coventry), who were part of that winning quartet. USA-based George Couttie (Ben Thomas, Harrogate) makes the team with India Weir (Andrew Hobdell, Cambridge), who will make her senior international debut as part of the relay team.

In the junior races, Alex Lennon (Nick Hancock, Sutton & District), who was the first Brit over the line at the Europeans, finishing 15th in the U20 race, will be joined by Luke Dunham (Andrew Hobdell, Herts Phoenix), Jonson Hughes (Andrew Henderson, Rotherham) and Michael Clark (Jane Clark, City of Norwich), who finished 18th despite losing one spike in the first lap of the race.

The junior women’s team, Eliza Nicholson (Joe Franklin, Blackheath & Bromley) and Zara Redmond (Sarah Dempsey, Kilbarchan), who were part of the U20 European gold medal-winning team, will be joined by Maisey Bellwood (Keighley & Craven) and young debutant Kitty Scott (Mick Woods, Aldershot, Farnham & District).

The event will return to the United States for the first time since 1992. The Apalachee Regional Park will host a 10k senior race, with junior races of 8k for men and 6k for women. The organisers have incorporated features inspired by Florida’s natural landscape, such as sand, water, mud, and a signature “rollercoaster” element.

Team Leader, Luke Gunn, said;

“We’ve selected a team that reflects our commitment to success, aiming to make the podium at this event and giving talented juniors the chance to gain invaluable experience as they build towards future cross country success. We look forward to seeing how they perform against the world’s best in what will be a fast and fun course out in Florida.”

The athletes

Senior Women

Phoebe Anderson (Laurie Henes, Herne Hill)
Megan Keith (Ross Cairns, Inverness)
Verity Ockenden (Swansea)
Poppy Tank (City of Plymouth)

Senior Men

Jacob Cann (Western Tempo)
Rory Leonard (Andrew Hobdell, Morpeth)
David Mullarkey (Andrew Henerson, Leeds City)  
Matthew Ramsden (Edmund Finucane, Blackburn)

Mixed Relay

George Couttie (Ben Thomas, Harrogate)
India Weir (Andrew Hobdell, Cambridge)
Adam Fogg (Cory Leslie, Coventry)
Alex Millard (Mark Coogan, Invicta East Kent)

Junior Women

Maisey Bellwood (Keighley & Craven)
Eliza Nicholson (Joe Franklin, Blackheath & Bromley)
Zara Redmond (Sarah Dempsey, Kilbarchan)
Kitty Scott (Mick Woods, Aldershot, Farnham & District)

Junior Men

Michael Clark (Jane Clark, City of Norwich)
Luke Dunham (Andrew Hobdell, Herts Phoenix)
Jonson Hughes (Andrew Henderson, Rotherham)
Alex Lennon (Nick Hancock, Sutton & District)

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.