World XC Predictions - Who you got? Official Discussion Thread

Ohh, in the Mens race as the storm was coming in that wind was insane, probably 30+ mph.

Jess Hull, UNBELIVABLE leg.

11 seconds faster than the Kenyan leg

12 seconds faster than the Ethiopian leg

26 seconds faster than Emma Coburn (who had to race in no-woman's land after leg 1)

She has yet to race indoor this year, but coming off of last years 4:19 mile and with her 14:43 PB, we might see some great things from her this year.

Are you blind? The corrugations on the finishing stretch did her in.

Watched on replay, some takeaways:

-Wanyonyi is going to be a beast in the 800 with that sort of strength

-Jess Hull might make the jump to where Mageean got last year, monstrous

-what a leg for the second Kenyan…will be interesting to see if he can rise through the ranks…third Kenyan 1500 spot is wide open

-To that point Reynold Cheruiyot was 1 second off the win in the U20 might be the next great Kenyan 1500/3000 guy, he’s got that strength

-Both US Junior squads ran great

-Gidey tough one to watch, I could tell it was going sideways at the tires, and Chebet has a monstrous kick

-Kiplimo was my pick and I think he is tied with Jakob as most talented distance guys in the world, his tactics have held him back in World 10Ks but I’d pick him to win this year and then a potential duel with Jakob in the 5 will he must-watch

-Kenyan men rewarded for sending their A squad, their pack capitalized on an Ethiopian team missing some studs

-Fair to say Kamworor is back, very exciting for London

-Aregawis best championship performance ever, and he judged it better than usual…he should become a greater factor on the track

I watched the replay. My takes:

1. I wish they would bring this back to every year. I love this race.

2. The course was pretty cool (my favorite was 1983 in England).

3. I wish there was a way to get the US A team there.

Great points. A few more:

I was impressed by Ishmael Kipirui’s classy close, controlling the business end of the race and holding off a hard-charging Cheruiyot.

Chebet picking up right where she left off last season. Must-watch tv whenever she races.

Seeing Kiplimo race with confidence and power is tops for me. He's always seemed less comfortable on the track, but hopefully he'll get it right this Summer.

I’m already anticipating Croatia. JI and Nuguse should be there, Aregawi and Kamworor will redouble their efforts, Chep isn’t done yet and I doubt I’m alone in hoping that at least one former collegiate Natl XC champ--Monson, Morgan, Tuohy--makes the trip to Europe in Feb 2024.

Kurgat and Kelati were solid, as were the US Juniors. After Bathurst, it will be easy to root for Young, Langon, Riggs, Shea & the rest throughout the next NCAA XC season.

There is a way.

Bring World XC to the US in the year when there are no World Outdoor T&F Champs or Olympic Games.

Which, indeed, will happen in 2026 when the meet will be held at Apalachee Regional Park in FL, site of the 2021 NCAA Div I xc meet.

Can imagine a US men's team comprised of some combination of Fisher, Klecker, Nur, Mantz, Young, Teare, Jacobs, Sprout, Bosley, McGorty . . . all in their mid-late 20s . . . i.e., in or near their prime.

Can imagine a US women's team comprised of some combination of Monson, Cranny, Schweizer, Kelati, Tuohy, Morgan, Henes, Valby, Chmiel . . . all in their mid-late 20s; i.e., in or near their prime.

For the US, this would be a once-every-20-years team . . . which we see every year from the Kenyans and Ethiopians. Maybe they could pull off another "miracle on dirt" which the 2013 men's team did to beat Kenya for the silver.

Just something to dream about over the next three years.

seminoles.com

Apalachee Regional Park to Host 2026 Cross Country World Championships

Tim Hofmann

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - World Athletics and Visit Tallahassee announced Friday morning that Apalachee Regional Park - the home of the Florida State cross country program - will be the host for the 2026 World Cross Country Champio...

Link:seminoles.com/apalachee-regional-park-...

Probably better add Nuguse to the above list. . .

The lap is ok, but they got to pull lapped runners. If you are 5 mins back, you shouldn't have been in the race.

It would be curious to know how many of the athletes liked elements versus those who thought they were goofy. Nobody wants track in grass but we also don't want to make it a very lame obstacle course race...

I was at the event watching the TV replay reveals I think that Gidey had a hitch in her stride at the highest point of the circuit ie before the right, left and right of the forest grove.

Great racing. So glad I went on a day road trip with a mate to enjoy my best day of athletics. My friend attended the Catherine Freeman night at the Sydney Olympics so his bar is much higher!

Indeed. Thanks for the lead up and I expect the wrap will be good.

Had such a great day making it a day trip with a mate.