SportsTravel

Tallahassee, Florida, is preparing to become the latest U.S. city to host a major world championship as the destination welcomes the World Athletics Cross Country Championships Tallahassee 26, starting January 10. The event will be staged at Apalachee Regional Park.

Elite runners and Olympians, including cross country powerhouses such as the United States, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Spain and Great Britain, will field more than 450 athletes at the event.

“Leon County is proud to welcome the world to Apalachee Regional Park for the World Athletics Cross Country Championships,” said Leon County Commission Chairman Christian Caban. “With hundreds of elite athletes from nearly 50 countries, this event will put Tallahassee-Leon County on the international stage and is expected to generate more than $4 million in local economic impact. We’re honored to host — and committed to delivering an exceptional experience for athletes, fans, and our community.”

The event is the latest significant international event that has found a host in the United States. World Athletics held its outdoor World Championships in Eugene, Oregon, in 2022, the first time the event was held in the country.

“Tallahassee stands ready to welcome the world for a truly historic event,” said Kerri Post, executive director for Visit Tallahassee. “Fans from near and far will experience world-class competition, unmatched energy, and the excitement of our destination in the spotlight on a global platform.”

Members of the local organizing committee emphasized that the world championships are a community milestone as well as a landmark event for Tallahassee’s role in the global sport of cross country.

“Hosting the World Athletics Cross Country Championships is the crown jewel of Tallahassee’s sports tourism portfolio,” said Taylor Wheaton, co-chair and senior sports sales director for Visit Tallahassee. “The world is literally watching Tallahassee this weekend and the championships will have a lasting positive long-term economic impact and visibility for our destination.”

Marching Band and a Fan Fest

Race day will begin with the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) Marching 100 performing the National Anthem. Throughout the event, a Fan Zone will serve as the hub of activity, offering interactive games, food trucks, live music, photo booths, a beer garden and live viewing areas.

Following the elite championship, registered participants will take part in the Worlds Fun Run: Florida Edition, choosing between a 2K or 4K distance on the same course. Participants will earn a commemorative medal while also supporting Leon County Schools’ track and cross-country programs.