Agnes Ngetich produced a commanding display to ensure Kenya’s dominance in senior women’s cross country remains unshakable, clinching the nation’s 10th consecutive title at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships Tallahassee 26 on Saturday .
The world 10km record-holder made a statement from the outset, winning by a staggering 42 seconds in a performance that ranks as the second-biggest winning margin in the history of the championships.
Senior Women’s Individual Results
🥇 Agnes Ngetich (KEN) – 31:28
🥈 Joy Cheptoyek (UGA) – 32:10
🥉 Senayet Getachew (ETH) – 32:13
4 Asayech Ayichew (ETH) – 32:44
5 Aleshign Baweke (ETH) – 32:49
6 Rispa Cherop (UGA) – 32:52
7 Alem Tsadik (ETH) – 33:00
8 Maurine Chebor (KEN) – 33:06
9 Sarah Chelangat (UGA) – 33:20
10 Ednah Kurgat (USA) – 33:28
Ngetich crossed the finish line in 31:28, adding a gold medal to the bronze she claimed in 2023 and the fourth-place finish she achieved in 2025. Uganda’s Joy Cheptoyek claimed silver in 32:10, becoming her country’s first ever individual senior women’s medallist at the World Cross Country Championships, while Ethiopia’s Senayet Getachew secured bronze in 32:13. Ethiopia, led by Getachew, went on to win the team title, with Kenya taking silver and Uganda bronze.
The race began with Ngetich running shoulder-to-shoulder with Getachew, Ayichew, and Cheptoyek through the first 2km loop in 6:03. However, she quickly asserted herself, opening a 17-second gap by the end of the second loop and steadily extending her lead to 42 seconds by the finish.
With Beatrice Chebet absent this season to start a family, Ngetich stepped up brilliantly to keep Kenya’s senior women’s supremacy alive, delivering a performance that will be remembered for years to come.