Kenyan national xc champs to pick team for 2026 World XC in USA is this Saturday in Eldoret. Why are they holding them so early?

The holidays are coming up. Which means the Kenyans are coming to the US to win your turkey trot.

I saw an article saying it’s because they need time to secure visas for all the athletes. From the entries I’ve seen the USA should be credibly thinking they should win on the men’s side. Ebenyo is quite a good XC runner but might be diminished from his marathoning, and Kipkurui beat all of the US guys in the 10K. Sounds like Benson Kiplangat might be running and he’s good too. No Nicholas Kipkorir, Cornelius Kemboi, Jacob Krop, Edwin Kurgat, Mathew Kipsang, Brian Musau, Geoffrey Kamworor etc. So it’s gonna have to be young guys who’ve only raced in Kenya/road runners who fill out the squad.

That's so ridiculous. The US should not be allowed to host international sporting events without being able to expedite visas.

I'm generally opposed to wildcards but would be all for one for Musau here.

I hope we don't have to an asterisk next to the US's men's team gold medal. I don't want us winning gold against a Kenyan C team.

I don’t see this as early. It is 11 weeks before the event. This gives them time to know they are on the team so they can train for the event. This makes sense.

Get as many doses / as much training in before the window to best avoid testing closes.

I agree. Yeah it sounds like Beatruce Chebets coach believes she will be given a wildcard in as she’s not ready yet to race. For Musau if he were to win NCAAs I’d say yes hold a discretionary spot for him if he expresses interest and it’s all coordinated with OK State. Doubt it happens but they had Stanley Mburu as a 10K alternate in Tokyo because he’s been based there. So they have some precedent if they justify it that way.

On the women’s side also notable that Agnes N’getich is chasing something at the Valencia Half instead of going for a spot.

Don't get ahead of yourself, chief.

Chebet is a 2x world and 2x Olympic champion. Musau is good but nowhere near her level. I don’t think he should get a wild card

It doesn't matter. Between Athletics Kenya corruption, dirty agents, training camp politics and doping positives the team will not be named until the last minute regardless of this race. I am confident of that. They will be scrambling with drama.

I don’t think this is a scenario which you will have to worry about. And I do believe the Kenyan C team can beat the Americans. I think the Americans will have a tough time defeating Kenyans and Ethiopians. In fact, I am not sure the American seniors would beat the Kenyan juniors. This is cross country.

Yeah of course not comparable but the 6th member of this years squad could be uniquely weak as even most of their best 10K road and HM guys (save Ebenyo/Matata) are sitting it out.

What is the course like?

XC season has been ongoing since August here

These are the Nationals i.e., the climax of all the local XC races (like all the local champions from the meets)

So they'll EITHER most likely pick the XC team from the winners and then bookend it with the superstars i.e., Ngetich, Chebet et al.

OR host an invite only meet closer to the date with the best local performers here and the superstars

Entry lists below (Mathew Kipsang in but yeah many top guys missing)

Other men to watch for team spots if there: Amos Kiprotich, Silas Senchura, Weldon Langat, Denis Kipkoech, Victor Kimosop, Chales Katul Lokir(Kakuri).

I guess its visas but seems really early. I wonder how serious top Ethiopians will take it and when their trials will be. I am thinking USA men's team gold at the moment tbh

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1387047413423406&set=pcb.1387047810090033

Thx Will, yeah Kipkoech I thought was still U20 he is promising

You misread the article. It’s tryouts for Florida’s, Oklahoma State’s, and ISU’s 2025 XC Nats teams. Don’t worry, the paperwork will go through fine.

VISA application process nowadays takes long.

Rojo settle down. It should have been obvious to you but the guy is right.

Its much easier for the US to expedite our visa issues with the third world than it is to sort out third world visas with the US (and others). All grownups understand this.

A running event isn't really of importance on the grand scheme of things. Thats just the way it is, and should be.