Kenyan athletes have been dominating the IAAF world cross country with thier arch rival Ethiopia.

Only three Kenyan men have won individual world cross country titles in the men’s division, and two of them won multiple crowns. John Ngugi became the first man to win the world championship five times (1986–89, 1992). Countryman Paul Tergat became the first man to win five times in a row (1995-1999). Edith Masai won the 4-kilometer women’s short race three consecutive times (2003-2004).