World Athletics Cross Country Championships Tallahassee 26 Logo Revealed

The countdown is underway with less than 200 days to go until the top cross country athletes from around the globe arrive in the United States to converge in Tallahassee, Florida’s capital city. The official logo has now been revealed, and excitement is building to Welcome the World to Florida for the World Athletics Cross Country Championships on January 10, 2026.
 

The logo reveal marks another thrilling step in Tallahassee’s preparation to host the 2026 championships. The colorful design reflects Florida’s beauty, energy and distinct character. Tallahassee, with its iconic sunshine and rolling hills of various terrain, dispels the common perception that all of Florida is flat. The Tallahassee 26 logo highlights Florida’s global identity as the Sunshine State, and features an orange, the state fruit, and orange blossoms, the state flower, reflecting Florida’s deep agricultural heritage. The lush greenery includes the sabal palm, Florida’s official state tree, reinforcing Tallahassee’s scenic natural beauty and its 700 miles of trails. The depiction of water represents Florida’s abundant rivers, lakes and expansive coastline statewide.

“Leon County is thrilled to host the world’s top cross-country athletes and fans this coming January,” said Leon County Commission Chairman Brian Welch. “The 2026 World Athletics Cross Country Championships will place our community on the global stage, and we can’t wait to showcase our southern hospitality, vibrant culture, and first-class course to competitors and spectators alike.”

Apalachee Regional Park and its nationally renowned cross country course will serve as the championship venue, proudly hosting the athletes and spectators from around the globe. Apalachee Regional Park has hosted more than 75 national, state and local, cross country championships over the past 13 years. The championship course was designed by runners for runners, and winds through lush grass, crushed oyster shell, red clay, over rolling hills and through pine forests. It is an outstanding course that will stimulate and challenge competitors and inspire and engage spectators.

“With the countdown on and excitement growing every day, we’re ready to welcome the world in 2026,” said Leon County Administrator Vincent S. Long. “From our County's scenic trails to our unmistakable community spirit, we look forward to greeting visitors from across the globe and giving them a championship experience like nowhere else."

Apalachee Regional Park is named in honor of the Apalachee, a large and powerful tribe of Native Americans who inhabited the Tallahassee region for over 10,000 years. The World Athletics Cross Country Championships Tallahassee 26 promises to deliver an outstanding championship experience like no other.

"Tallahassee, Florida has a long and rich history as a running community, and especially cross country." said Kerri L. Post, Executive Director for Visit Tallahassee. "Our community is united through the power of sports to showcase our area’s beauty, friendly spirit, our hospitality, our culture and the pride we take in hosting this prestigious championship event and Welcoming the World to Tallahassee, Florida.”

Stay tuned for ways to get involved, including ticket sales and fun run registrations, coming soon.

For information about the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, please visit: WXCTallahassee26.com.

For more information, contact Genesis Leggett, Leon County Division of Tourism, at LeggettGen@LeonCountyFL.gov / 850-606-2324, or Mathieu Cavell, Leon County Community and Media Relations, at CMR@LeonCountyFL.gov / 850-606-5300.

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