A 28-member national team left for the World Athletics Cross Country Championships on Wednesday afternoon, and the Athletics SA Cross Country team is confident of putting up a fight when they take on some of the world’s best distance runners in Tallahassee, United States on Saturday, 10 January, 2026.
The women’s component of Team SA will compete in the senior women’s 10km race, the U20 women’s 6km event, and in the senior 4x2km mixed relay alongside SA’s men runners.
“It’s a strong team, especially among the seniors, and we have athletes who know how to race in the United States.”
Team SA Coach, Violet Semenya
“We’ve also got a strong mixed relay team, and I can’t wait to see their results,” continued Semenya. “If they trust themselves and we trust them, I think the team will do well.”
Multiple SA record holder Glenrose Xaba is the most experienced member of the team, competing in her fifth successive edition of the World Athletics Cross Country Championships, and expressed confidence in leading the national squad in the senior women’s 10km race.
Though she admits she might be out of her depth against powerful teams from around the world, and will have to dig deep to be competitive, Xaba is fit and ready to give it a shot.
“I will try my best to go with them, but I just want to finish very strong and enjoy the race. I just hope I will be healthy (on the day) as I want to perform well.”
SA Cross Country Champion, Glenrose Xaba
“As South Africans we are starting to perform very well at international level. It shows that we are improving a lot, and I am confident that I can do very well.”
In the mixed 4x2km relay, Luan Munnik, Christopher Swart, Karabo More and Carina Viljoen will be hoping to challenge for a place on the podium.
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Head of delegation, ASA Acting President John Mathane, said: “Every athlete in the team has worked hard to qualify for this squad and has put in a tremendous amount of effort to prepare in the build-up to this event. We wish all of them well as they prepare to take on the world’s best, and we know they will carry the national flag with pride.”
Women Members of the Athletics SA Cross Country Team to the World Championships
Glenrose Xaba – Women 10km (AGN)
Maria Karabo Mailula – Women 10km (AGN)
Cacisile Sosibo – Women 10km (CGA)
Kyla Jacobs – Women 10km (WPA)
Cian Oldknow – Women 10km (CGA)
Zanele Maisa – Women 10km (CGA)
Karabo More – Mixed Relay (Women) (AGN)
Carina Viljoen – Mixed Relay (Women) (CGA)
Ithuteng Khiba – 6km U20 Women (ATRA)
Lara Stander – 6km U20 Women (BOLA)
Lara Van Der Merwe – 6km U20 Women (AGN)
Andrea Steynberg – 6km U20 Women (ACNW)
Omaatla Dikao – 6km U20 Women (AGN)
Leandri Pretorius – 6km U20 Women (AGN)
Original Copy: Athletics South Africa, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: A 28-member national team left for the World Athletics Cross Country Championships on Wednesday afternoon, and the Athletics SA Cross Country team is confident of putting up a fight when they take on some of the world’s best distance runners in Tallahassee, United States on Saturday, 10 January, 2026. Photo: Athletics SA
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