Kiplimo learns when and where he will defend his World Cross Country Title

Uganda’s long distance running sensation Jacob Kiplimo will set sights to retain his World Cross Country title in Belgrade, Serbia.

The city is poised to host the 2024 World Athletics Cross Country Championships on March 30.

The championships were previously scheduled to happen on February 10, but due to the original hosts, the Croatian cities of Medulin and Pula, being deemed unprepared, the event was subsequently relocated.

The competition will come to life in the renowned Park of Friendship, situated next to the Danube River in the heart of Belgrade, a site with a history of hosting significant athletic competitions, including the 2013 European Championships.

Sebastian Coe, the World Athletics President, lavished praise on the city’s burgeoning reputation as a bastion for world-class competitions.

“Belgrade is establishing itself as a reliable host of world class competitions,” Coe explained.

“Following a memorable 2022 World Indoor Championships, we are confident that the organization of our 2024 World Cross Country Championships is in a safe pair of hands.”

This announcement follows Belgrade's recent successful stint as a host city, having organized the 2022 World Athletics Indoor Championships, where Uganda's Halimah Nakaayi claimed the 800m bronze.

The city's expanding portfolio also includes the 1962 European Championships, 2017 European Indoor Championships, and the 2017 Balkan Championships.

The stakes are particularly high for Kiplimo, who would be seeking to build on Uganda’s commendable performance in the previous edition held in Bathurst, Australia.

Uganda secured third place with four medals, including Joshua Cheptegei's silver in the senior men's category and two senior team bronze medals.

The World Athletics Council has also delineated the schedules for future athletic spectacles, including the World Athletics U20 Championships, set to unfold in Eugene, Oregon (USA) on 4-9 August 2026.

The World Athletics Road Running Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark, slated for 19-20 September 2026.