Over 390 athletes will be competing at the 2025 National Cross-Country Championships on January 18, vying for a chance to represent Rwanda in the 2026 World Cross-Country Championships in Florida, USA. Officials at Rwanda Athletics Federation (RAF) say the event is a significant platform for talent identification and development. It will feature rugged terrains and varying distances, challenging athletes' endurance, mental strength, and strategic skills. The tournament follows the 2023 National Cross-Country Championships held on December 2, 2023 at IPRC Kigali. Emmanuel Mutabazi of Police Athletics Club secured a first place finish in the men’s 10.2 km race with a time of 30 minutes, 28 seconds. Among the women, Emelyne Imanizabayo of Sina Gerard Athletics Club dominated with a winning time of 34 minutes, 57 seconds. A number of local clubs participated including APR, Rwamagana, Nyaruguru, and Vision Jeunesse Nouvelle, among others. ALSO READ: FEASSSA 2024: Umutesi ‘overwhelmed’ after striking gold The junior races also saw Sina Gerard Athletics Club excel, taking top honours in both the U17 and U20 categories, with great performances from athletes like Ephrem Niyigena and Claire Uwitonze. The 2025 championships will feature six races categorised by age group and gender, with distances ranging from 4 km to 10 km. The competition will kick off at 7:30am with the U18 girls’ 4km race and conclude at 10:30 am with the senior men’s and women’s 10km events. The championship will host 398 participants from renowned clubs such as APR Athletics Club, Police Athletics Club, UR Huye College Athletics Club, and SINA Gerard Athletics Club, among others. Speaking about the significance of the event, RAF General Secretary Jean Paul Niyintunze emphasized its role as a qualifier for international tournaments. This championship is crucial in identifying and preparing athletes for global competitions. It’s an opportunity for our athletes to showcase their talent and gain valuable experience, he said.