ALL roads lead to Tallahassee, Florida, for the 46th edition of the World Athletics Cross Country Championships.
This year, the global event returns to the United States for the first time since 1992, with elite athletes set to navigate the challenging trails of Apalachee Regional Park.
More than 500 athletes from over 60 countries will compete on the park’s redesigned course, marking one of the most significant international sporting events hosted on US soil in 2026.
Representing Zimbabwe are seven standout athletes, including national cross-country champions Godwin Katakura and Caroline Mhandu.
Both head to Florida aiming for record-high finishes on the world stage. Joining Katakura in the senior men’s 10km race are Wayne Kabondo and US-based standout Bradley Makuvire, while Mhandu will be joined by Answer Tasara in the senior women’s 10km.
The youth contingent features Jackson Nyamazana in the junior men’s 8km and Tulange Mudenda in the junior women’s 6km.
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National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe president Tendai Tagara expressed optimism regarding the opportunities this international platform provides.
Speaking to NewsDay Sport, Tagara highlighted the association’s commitment to athlete development.
“We are happy as an association to be sending athletes who we expect to be highly competitive in America,” he said.
“The role of the association is to set the stage for athletes to perform. When they succeed, they attract managers and sponsors who want to support them based on that performance.”
Tagara emphasised that the selection process focused on merit, sending the winners of the national 10km trials. “We are challenging them now: go to America and prove you belong there. Stand your ground.”
Reflecting on the team's preparations, Tagara noted that while athletes have been training with personal coaches and clubs, recent international exposure has provided a benchmark for their progress.
“They recently competed at the Botswana International Cross Country. While we wanted them to dominate, we were pleased with Caroline Mhandu’s fifth-place finish. It was a good performance, but we want them to go to America and leave a mark,” he said.