By Clay Shaw Photos by Clay Shaw and Karen Mitchell
1.10.26 Tallahassee, FL—Agnes Ngetich of Kenya is the world record holder for the 10K on the roads in 28:46. With 2-time defending champ Beatrice Chebet sitting out the 2026 season (pregnancy), Ngetich became the odds-on favorite. She was the bronze medalist in Belgrade 2024. Kenya now has ten straight senior women’s titles.
Ngetich led from the gun and ran almost the entire race alone. She threw in a strong surge on lap two and ended up winning by 42 seconds. Uganda earned the first senior women’s individual medal with Joy Cheptoyek finishing in second place in 32:10. Senayet Getachew of Ethiopia earned the bronze in 32:13; she was the U20 overall champion in Bathurst 2023. Asayech Ayichew was fourth in 32:44, Aleshign Baweke was fifth in 32:49, and Alem Tsadik was seventh in 33:00 to score for the winning Ethiopian team.
Ethiopia, who lost the opportunity to field full U20 teams (14 visas were denied by the US state department), had a strong presence in the senior women’s team, winning over Kenya and Uganda with the United States placing fourth.
Ednah Kurgat of the USA was tenth in 33:28. Karissa Schweizer was 17th in 33:58. Katie Izzo was 24th in 34:25. Grace Hartman was 32nd in 34:47, Emily Venters was 33rd in 34:48, and Weini Kelati was 40th in 35:25 after a bit of a suffer-fest after a fast start. 75 women finished the 10k with 76 starters.
Finish Times
31:28 Agnes Ngetich, Kenya
32:10 Joy Cheptoyek, Uganda
32:13 Senayet Getachew, Ethiopia
32:44 Asayech Ayichew, Ethiopia
32:49 Aleshign Baweke, Ethiopia
32:52 Rispa Cherop, Uganda
33:00 Alem Tsadik, Ethiopia
33:06 Maurine Chebor, Kenya
33:20 Sarah Chelangat, Uganda
33:28 Ednah Kurgat, United States
33:31 Caren Chebet, Kenya
33:33 Shure Demise, Ethiopia
33:47 Lauren Ryan, Australia
33:53 Maria Forero, Spain
33:53 Leanne Pompeani, Australia
33:55 Rebecca Mwangi, Kenya
33:58 Karissa Schweizer, United States
34:00 Sarah Lahti, Sweden
34:01 Hannah Gapes, New Zealand
34:06 Rebecca Chelangat, Uganda
34:19 Niamh Allen, Ireland
34:20 Joyline Chepkemoi, Kenya
34:22 Fiona Everard, Ireland
34:25 Katie Izzo, United States
34:25 Megan Keith, Great Britain
Agnes Ngetich of Kenya 2026 World XC Tallahassee senior women’s champion.
Agnes Ngetich of Kenya wins World XC Tallahassee 2026, 42 seconds ahead of the next finisher! Her winning time was 31:28.
Agnes Ngetich of Kenya came into Tallahassee as the favorite. Ngetich delivered with a dominating race, winning by 42 seconds.
Medal battle between Joy Cheptoyek of Uganda who earned silver in 32:10 and Senayet Getachew of Ethiopia who got bronze with a 32:13.
Brenda Kenei of Kenya, Rispa Cherop of Uganda, Lemlem Nibret of Ethiopia, and Weini Kelati of the USA run togerther early in the race. Cherop stayed steady to place sixth in 32:52.
Asayech Ayichew of Ethiopia leads the East African charge through the sand on the World XC course.
Weini Kelati of the USA ran among the leaders for the first half of the race, but slipped back a bit to end up 40th.
Ednah Kurgat of the United States ran a smart and solid race to place tenth in 33:28, and was the top USA runner.
Karissa Schweizer of the United States ran a strong race to place 17th and second USA in 33:58.
Grace Hartman of the USA runs with Lauren Ryan of Australia and Katie Izzo of the USA on the Florida Beaches section of the World XC course.
Katie Izzo of the United States passes the Florida Beach scene on her way to 24th place and third USA at World XC.
Megan Keith of Great Britain ran strong until some issues in the final straight. Keith finished first GBR, placing 25th.
Emily Venters of the USA runs past the Tallahassee sand sculpture with Niamh Allen of Ireland.
Leanne Pompeani of Australia leads a large group which includes European stars Sarah Lahti of Sweden and Maria Forero of Spain.
Niamh Allen of Ireland lead Juliana Sakat of Ghana and Florence Caron of Canada past the sand sculpture.
Team Canada members Chloe Thomas, Florence Caron, and Grace Fetherstonhaugh run together in World XC.
Katie Izzo of the USA and Megan Keith of Great Britain charge through the Florida Beach scene in World XC.
Alem Tsadik of Ethiopia finishes to the delight of Ethiopian supporters. Tsadik was seventh in 33:00, and fourth and final scorer for the winning Ethiopian team.
Lauren Ryan of Australia, a Florida State alumni finished in 13th place and celebrated with the tomahawk chop. Her time was 33:47.
Chloe Thomas of Canada strides home in 31st place in 34:46 to lead Team Canada.
Grace Hartman and Emily Venters finish 32nd and 33rd, as the USA team finished fourth in the team scoring.
Lauren Ryan with Team Australia. Others are Caitlin Adams, Bronte Oates, Holly Campbell, and Maudie Skyring. Team Australia placed fifth in the team competition.
NC State runners Grace Hartman (USA), Hannah Gapes (NZL), and Phoebe Anderson (GBR)
Runner's Gazette 
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