No event keeps you on your toes quite like cross country. From the relatively glamorous event that was the World Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, with its Florida beaches and suspiciously bright blue waters, to today in Hannut. While the sunny streak was surprisingly maintained, thus sparing the athletes a typically muddy course, it was a return to grass fields and more than the athletes’ fair share of hills.

With questions floating around about whether cross country is drifting ever further from its roots, today’s race signalled its return to true form. The Hannut Cross Country Cup, a famously challenging course, is exactly what the sport needed. Today, it delivered on all fronts.

Hannut Cross Country Cup 2026: Senior Women’s Long Race

The women’s 8km race saw the return of last year’s champion Sheila Jebet of Kenya. Still just 20 years old and back to defend her title. In order to do so, she would have to face last year’s 3rd place finisher, Charity Cherop of Uganda. Furthermore, she also faced home favourite Jana van Lent. 

If Jana van Lent felt she had something to prove two weeks after losing her 10km road European record to Eilish McColgan in Valencia, by the way she attacked this race, no one would have guessed. As soon as the race began she was right at the front. Looking unphased by the looming presence of World Cross Country u20 bronze medallist Charity Cherop on her tail. While the field spread out over the course of the second lap, Jana van Lent kept not only a comfortable lead, but one that only extended as others faltered. 

By the third lap, she had built a 20m advantage. The group of African challengers behind her began to splinter. This left last year’s winner Sheila Chebet and Charity Cherop the only ones within striking distance. It was Chebet who made the move. Closing ever so slightly on Jana van Lent with 4km to go and practically sealing Cherop’s third place. But while Sheila Chebet was spurred on by a title defence, Jana van Lent had not only the support of the home crowd behind her, but also the momentum of a 30:10 European record breaking season opener to propel her home. 

Over the final 2km lap, Jana van Lent built up an incredible 100m lead. This was reminiscent of Jacob Kiplimo’s lightning fast finish to win gold in Tallahassee. She crossed the finish victorious, much to the delight of the home crowd. Second place went to Sheila Jebet, unable to retain her crown. For 18 year old Charity Cherop, it was another third place finish in Hannut.

Women’s Top 10

1.	Jana VAN LENT	22 APR 2001	BEL	27:30
2.	Sheila JEBET	31 DEC 2005	KEN	27:46
3.	Charity CHEROP	04 JUL 2007	UGA	27:51
4.	Bentalin YEKO	06 NOV 2007	UGA	28:27
5.	Jackline Chepwogen ROTICH	03 JUL 2000	KEN	28:48
6.	Jessica GIBBON	19 AUG 1996	GBR	28:55
7.	Lisa ROOMS	17 JUN 1996	BEL	29:09
8.	Tekan BERHE	20 JAN 2003	ETH	29:09
9.	Julie VOET	22 NOV 2003	BEL	29:23
10.	Febe TRIEST	28 AUG 2000	BEL	29:51

Hannut Cross Country Cup 2026: Senior Men’s Long Race

Although the men’s race didn’t see a return of last year’s champion Kibet Rogers, it did not signify a shortage of big names. There were Diamond League finalists, World finalists and national champions. Furthermore, we had many competitors with a sub-27:30 10km under their belts. 

All of that to say, the race got off to a fast start, as it usually does on the Hannut course. What was unusual about this race though is that the top 2 finishers were pretty much solidified from the start. Keneth Kiprop of Uganda looked determined to improve on his 10th place individual finish at the recent World Cross Country Championships. Joining him was Eritrea’s Saymon Amanuel, winner of last year’s Cinque Mulini course.

These two developed a sizeable lead over the first half of the race with no signs of slowing. Meanwhile, the rest of the field became increasingly fractured behind them. Martin Magengo Kiprotich of Uganda did manage to break out of that chasing pack in the 5th lap. Unfortunately, with a distance of over 100m between him and the leaders, the chances of him vying for a top 2 spot were slim. 

The field was spread thin but the focus was all at one end: the first place battle between Kiprop and Amanuel. A race that kicked off with so many big names, yet the action felt reserved for just two. Kiprop had the slight lead on Amanuel throughout. By the time he entered the final straight, that lead had grown to 50m. He had secured the victory. As for Kiprotich, his long-held position as third didn’t have the same fate. He was overtaken by Bastian Augusto of France to finish in fourth.

Men’s Top 10

1.	Keneth KIPROP	13 MAY 2005	UGA	24:21
2.	Saymon AMANUEL	27 MAY 2007	ERI	24:33
3.	Bastien AUGUSTO	10 AUG 1999	FRA	24:45
4.	Martin KIPROTICH	06 APR 2003	UGA	24:46
5.	Frederik RUPPERT	19 FEB 1997	GER	24:50
6.	Ruben QUERINJEAN	22 DEC 2001	LUX	24:56
7.	Alexander TESFAY	13 DEC 2008	ERI	25:24
8.	Sewmehon ANTENEH	23 FEB 2007	ETH	25:27
9.	Yorick VAN DE KERKHOVE	29 NOV 2001	BEL	25:33
10.	Marco VANDERPOORTEN	04 SEP 2000	BEL	25:43

A promising year ahead for van Lent

Another year of the Hannut Cross Country Cup. While there may have been a shortage of mud, the performances themselves were far from lacking. 2 races, and 2 new champions. You can claim the cliché of a home advantage but one thing’s for sure: Jana van Lent’s list of 2026 achievements is far from complete.