60th WMC Cross Country - Summary News

TRIKALA (GRE) – The 60th CISM World Military Cross Country Championship concluded successfully in Trikala, Greece, from 27 February to 1 March 2026, bringing together military athletes from 38 CISM Member Nations for the opening World Championship of the 2026 CISM sports calendar.

The event began with the arrival of delegations and confirmation of a high-level field featuring several internationally renowned athletes, including Bahrain’s Olympic and world champion Winfred Yavi, France’s Olympian and national record holder Mekdes Woldu, and Poland’s European medallists Sofia Ennaoui and Michał Rozmys. A pre-event press conference in Thessaly highlighted the importance of the championship for the region, with local authorities and CISM leadership underlining both the sporting quality of the event and its role in promoting international visibility, cooperation and friendship among armed forces.

The championship was officially opened on 28 February during a solemn ceremony at the Non-Commissioned Officers Academy in Trikala, attended by senior civil and military authorities, including CISM President Colonel Nilton Gomes Rolim Filho and CISM Secretary General Captain (N) Roberto Recchia. The ceremony reflected the strong institutional support of the Hellenic Armed Forces and the significance of hosting a major international military sporting event in Greece.

Competition took place on 1 March at the Skamnies Athletic Center in Pigi, Municipality of Pyli, on a demanding cross-country course. In the women’s 8,000m race, Bahrain’s Winfred Yavi claimed gold in 25:43, ahead of teammate Violah Jepchumba Kilonzo Motosio, while France’s Mekdes Woldu earned bronze. In the men’s 10,000m, Bahrain’s Birhanu Balew took first place in 28:21, narrowly ahead of Algeria’s Ramdane Ouargui and Morocco’s Mustapha Akkaoui.

In team events, Ethiopia won the Mixed Relay 4x2km, followed by Morocco and Bahrain. Bahrain secured first place in the women’s team classification ahead of Morocco and France, while Algeria topped the men’s team standings, with Bahrain second and Morocco third.

Held in parallel, the 1st Balkan Military Cross Country Championship added a regional dimension to the event. Bulgaria’s Militsa Mircheva won the women’s 8km race, while Greece dominated the men’s 10km through Dimitrios Tsakalos and Panagiotis Petroulakis. Bulgaria won the women’s team classification, while Greece finished first in the men’s team ranking.

The championship closed with a ceremony attended by civil, military and sports authorities, celebrating the performances of the athletes and the successful cooperation among all organizers and partners. Beyond the results, the event once again demonstrated the enduring strength of CISM’s motto: “Friendship through Sport.”