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Leon County wins bid to host 2026 World Cross Country Championships at Apalachee Regional Park

jim henry, tallahassee democrat
·3 min read
Tallahassee selected to host the 2026 World Athletics Cross Country Championships.
Tallahassee selected to host the 2026 World Athletics Cross Country Championships.

The cross-country trail at Apalachee Regional Park is designed to host running events of all sizes and runners of all ages.

From casual runners, weekend warriors, high school meets to the NCAA Cross Country Championships last year, Apalachee Regional Park is considered a premier venue nationally.

Make that globally.

World Athletics announced Thursday that Leon County has been awarded the 2026 World Athletics Cross Country Championships at Apalachee Regional Park.

This will be the third time the event has been held in the United States after the Meadowlands Racetrack in New Jersey hosted in 1984 and Boston’s Franklin Park hosted in 1992.

LOCAL COVERAGE

'The highest honor'

“It is the highest honor for Leon County to be chosen as the host location for the World Athletics Cross Country Championships,” Leon County Commission Chairman Bill Proctor said in a Leon County press release.

“We are thrilled to see this world event come to Leon County along with the incredible exposure and economic impact it will bring to the community.”

The World Athletics Cross Country Championship is expected to draw more than 550 runners from over 60 countries that will compete in five official World championship races, according to the release.

College runners from across the country competed at the 2021 NCAA Men's and Women's Cross Country Championships on Nov. 20, 2021 at Apalachee Regional Park.
College runners from across the country competed at the 2021 NCAA Men's and Women's Cross Country Championships on Nov. 20, 2021 at Apalachee Regional Park.

The event is projected to be attended by 10,000 spectators from around the world, bringing in an estimated economic impact of over $4.3 million.

“In 2009, we set out to create an award-winning cross country course that could host local, state and national competitions. Now, 13 years later, we will be hosting the world running competition,” Kerri L. Post, Director of the Leon County Division of Tourism.

“Winning the bid to host the most important international running event in the world and being listed among some of the best host cities in the world, speaks volumes to the vision of the Board of County Commissioners and our team who continue to dream big. This event is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that highlights Leon County’s success in hosting running events and commitment to the sport of cross country.”

Impressed by Tallahassee's passion

The Council also confirmed that following next year’s World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Bathurst, Australia, the next two editions will be held in Croatia (2024) and in Tallahassee (2026).

Jakob Larsen, the Director of Competition and Events for World Athletics, told Letsrun.com that he was impressed by the passion of the Tallahassee bid. The course is also expected to undergo a few changes for the races.

High school runners from across the state competed in the Florida High School Athletic Association Cross Country State Championships at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee Friday, Nov. 12, 2021.
High school runners from across the state competed in the Florida High School Athletic Association Cross Country State Championships at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee Friday, Nov. 12, 2021.

World Athletics is the international governing body for all running, jumping, throwing and walking sports.

"We are beyond excited to have been chosen to host the 2026 World Athletics Cross Country Championships,” Leon County Administrator Vincent S. Long said.

“Five years ago, we sought to host the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Championships as the most prestigious cross country destination in the nation, and this past November, that goal became a reality. Now, we look ahead to hosting the world’s preeminent cross country champions.”

This trail was made possible by the coordinated efforts of Leon County Parks & Recreation, Florida State, and Gulf Winds Track Club. The trail was designed to give runners the opportunity to run on several types of surfaces.

"This is really a huge deal," FSU cross country coach Bob Braman said.

"Cross country isn't an Olympic sport so this World Championship is our Olympics, Super Bowl. Nearly 15 years ago Leon County gave us a blank slate with a beautiful plot of land and myself and Brian Corbin carved out a Boy Scout trail with machetes."

Braman also credited Visit Tallahassee, Leon County, FSU athletics and Gulf Winds Track Club for embracing "the many huge races out there as their own. That's what made this huge event a reality."

Reach Jim Henry at jjhenry@tallahassee.com.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: The 2026 World Cross Country Championships set for Apalachee Regional Park