Reynold Cheruiyot Confident as Kenya Eyes Third Straight Mixed Relay World Cross Country Title

World 1500m bronze medallist Reynold Cheruiyot is confident he can deliver a blistering start for Kenya as the nation targets a third consecutive mixed relay title at the 2026 World Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, Florida.

Kenya will arrive in the United States with a powerful six-member squad, a blend of seasoned champions and emerging talent, ready to defend their global crown.

The team features Reynold Cheruiyot, Purity Chepkirui, Judy Kemunto, Winfred Mbithe, Daniel Munguti, and David Kipkoech.

As two-time defending champions, the East African athletics powerhouse is aiming for a historic hat-trick. Their recent dominance was on full display at the 2024 championships in Belgrade, Serbia, where the quartet of Reynold Cheruiyot, Virginia Nyambura, Munguti, and Chepkirui secured gold with a time of 22:15.

This victory followed their triumph at the 2023 event in Bathurst, Australia, where Emmanuel Wanyonyi, Mirriam Cherop, Munguti, and Brenda Chebet clocked 23:14 to claim the title ahead of Ethiopia and the host nation.

Reynold Cheruiyot, the 2022 World U20 1,500m champion, has been handed the critical task of running the opening leg, a position he believes is key to the team's success.

"We have already decided that I will be the one to start the race and then hand over to Chepkirui," Cheruiyot confirmed as quoted by The Star. "Munguti has been given the anchor role and will finish the race for us."

The young star emphasised that a fast and aggressive start is crucial to setting the stage for another Kenyan victory.

"Being the first one to start the race, I have to be quick and aggressive on the course," he stated. "The start is the most important part of a relay. If you get it right, you build a solid base for the rest of the team."

While acknowledging the strength of his rivals in the opening leg, Cheruiyot is determined to create an early advantage. "Every starter is strong; that’s exactly what coaches look for…someone who can give the team a solid lead so the rest can build on it," he explained.

"I have to make sure I open a gap of 50 metres or even 100 metres so the next athlete doesn’t have to struggle chasing the pack," he added.

Reynold Cheruiyot is fully aware of the pressure that comes with being the team to beat. "We are the defending champions, and all eyes will be on us. We have to be at our very best," he said.

His confidence is buoyed by his personal form and the strong camaraderie within the squad. "My body is okay, I feel fine and ready to go," he noted. "The chemistry in the team is strong. The mood is lively, and everyone is confident. Our focus is to defend our crown by all means."

Despite his optimism, Reynold Cheruiyot remains wary of the competition, identifying Australia as a significant threat. "Australia have a strong team, and they could pose a challenge, but I am sure we will be ready to handle them," he concluded.