By Clay Shaw Photos by Clay Shaw and Karen Mitchell
1.10.26 Tallahasee, FL—Jacob Kiplimo, the superstar from Uganda, can do it all. Kiplimo won his third straight World XC title in a row: 2023 Bathurst, 2024 Belgrade and now 2026 Tallahassee. Kiplimo also won the U20 race in Kampala 2017 on home soil. At the 2025 Chicago Marathon, Kiplimo won in 2:02:23. He owns the half-marathon world record of 56:42 run in Barcelona in 2025.
Kiplimo won in 28:18, charging through and over the man-made obstacles with ease. Berihu Aregawi of Ethiopia was second for the third straight World XC in 28:36. Earning the bronze medal was Daniel Ebenyo of Kenya in 28:45.
Thierry Ndikumwenayo of Spain was eighth in 29:16 and the first European, just ahead of Yann Schrub of France who was tenth in 29:22.
Parker Wolfe led Team USA in 11th place in 29:28. Wesley Kiptoo who led for three kilometers was 14th in 29:34, just ahead of Olympic 10000-meter medalist Jimmy Gressier of France. Graham Blanks was third American and 19th in 29:41. Nico Young was 36th in 30:19 and Ahmed Muhumed was 46th in 30:53. Rocky Hansen of the USA withdrew with an injury after running the course on Friday.
The largest of the five races, the senior men had 114 finishers. Ethiopia won the team title. Kenya was second and Uganda third. Team USA was the best of the rest in fourth. France was fifth, Tanzania was sixth, Spain was seventh, Australia was eighth, South Africa was ninth, and Canada was tenth. Seventeen teams had the four-finisher total.
Finish Times
28:18 Jacob Kiplimo, Uganda
28:36 Berihu Aregawi, Ethiopia
28:45 Daniel Ebenyo, Kenya
28:49 Tadese Worku, Ethiopia
28:53 Ishmael Kipkirui, Kenya
29:03 Biniam Mehary, Ethiopia
29:07 Dolphine Chelimo, Uganda
29:16 Thierry Ndikumwenayo, Spain
29:18 Denis Kipkemoi, Kenya
29:20 Keneth Kiprop, Uganda
29:22 Yann Schrub, France
29:28 Parker Wolfe, United States
29:32 Adriaan Wildschutt, South Africa
29:34 Wesley Kiptoo, United States
29:36 Jimmy Gressier, France
29:37 Brian Fay, Ireland
29:39 Kevin Chesang, Kenya
29:40 Nibret Kinde, Ethiopia
29:41 Graham Blanks, United States
29:45 Gabriel Geay, Tanzania
29:46 Emmanuel Kibet, Uganda
29:49 Abdessamad Oukhelfen, Spain
29:54 Emanuel Dinday, Tanzania
29:56 Ky Robinson, Australia
29:58 Edward Marks, Australia
Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda wins his third straight senior men’s title in 28:18. Jacob also has a junior title from 2017 in Kampala, Uganda.
If you can’t run with the big dogs stay out of the sand! Medalists Daniel Ebenyo, Jacob Kipliomo, and Berihu Arewagi push the pace together at World XC.
Early action scramble on the Florida Beach scene, four USA runners are seen in the mix.
Thierry Nduikumwenayo of Spain was the first runner outside of East Africa, finishing eighth. USA runners Nico Young and Ahmed Muhumed are in the mix, along with Gulveer Singh of India.
Jimmy Gressier of France has lift-off through the sand as he battles with Benjamin Ratsim and Gabriel Geay, both of Tanzania. Gressier was 15th in 29:36.
Yann Schrub of France had a solid race placing eleventh. Kevin Chesang of Kenya was seventeenth.
Parker Wolfe of USA was top American, placing twelfth. He charges through the sand with Adriaan Wildschutt of South Africa, Wesley Kiptoo of USA, Emmanuel Kibet of Uganda, and Thierry Ndukimwenayo of Spain.
Graham Blanks of USA charges through the Florida Beach with Yann Schrub of France. Both men placed in the top twenty, Schrub was 11th in 29:22; Blanks was 19th in 29:41.
Adriaan Wildschutt of South Africa and Wesley Kiptoo of USA battled the entire race. Wildschutt was 13th in 29:32 and Kiptoo was 14th in 29:34.
Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda smiles as he passes supporters and fans on the home straight. Kiplimo has won 2023 Bathurst, 2024 Belgrade, and now 2026 Tallahassee, as well as a junior title at 2017 Kampala.
Berihu Aregawi of Ethiopia has finished second to Kiplimo a few times and earned another silver in Tallahassee.
Thierry Ndukimwenayo of Spain finishes eighth in 29:16 and was first European athlete. He also won Euro XC 2025 in Lagoa, Portugal.
Parker Wolfe of USA was first American and twelfth overall in 29:28.
Wesley Kiptoo of USA was fourteenth and second American in 29:34.
Not giving an inch, Brian Fay of Ireland battles Jimmy Gressier of France toward the finish line. Gressier was 15th in 29:36, Fay was 16th in 29:37.
Ahmed Muhumed of USA has a strong finish, much to delight of the huge number of fans in Tallahassee. Muhumed was 46th, with Toby Gualter of New Zealand placing 47th.
Sadio Fenner of Cote d’Ivoire battles Diego Garcia of Mexico. Always fun to see countries you would least expect at World XC.
Podium Senior Men: Daniel Ebenyo, Kenya, third, Jacob Kiplimo, Uganda, first, and Berihu Aregawi, Ethiopia, second.
Team Kenya after the final race of the day. Shadrack Koech, Daniel Ebenyo, Ishmael Kipkurui, Robert Koech, and Denis Kipkemoi.
Runner's Gazette 
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