Mombasa WXC logo 2007 (© c)
MonteCarloA month from tomorrow, the 35th IAAF World Cross Country Championships will be celebrated in Mombasa, Kenya (Saturday 24 March 2007).
The local and national enthusiasm about the championships seems to know no limits, as in late April 2006 approximately 20,000 people flocked to the streets of the Nyali district of Mombasa, just to witness the opening of a new headquarters for the organising committee! If that level of passion and excitement is replicated in one month’s time then the distance running world is assured of a marvellous party atmosphere as Kenya embraces its first ever IAAF World Athletics Series event on home soil.
If further inspiration is required then runners need to look no further than the substantial financial incentives on offer. The World Cross Country Championships are back to a one-day, four-race format, with senior and junior men’s and women’s races being contested. While prize money is as usual not on offer for the junior events, the senior men’s 12km and women’s 8km offer a total prize purse of US$280,000.
There is US$30,000 on offer for the individual victors, with prize money descending to sixth place (US$3000) in both races, while team’s will receive US$20,000 for a win, with awards again reaching down to sixth best (US$4000) for men and women.
Prize Money (paid by IAAF):
All amounts are in US$
Places / Prize*
Individual
1st 30,000; 2nd 15,000; 3rd 10,000; 4th 7000; 5th 5000; 6th 3000
Team
1st 20,000; 2nd 16,000 3rd 12,000; 4th 10,000; 5th 8000; 6th 4000
*All prize winners must undergo and clear the usual anti-doping procedures.
IAAF
