# World Athletics Cross Country Championships

World Athletics Cross Country Championships is the most important competition in international cross country running. Formerly held annually and organised by World Athletics (formerly the IAAF), it was inaugurated in 1973, when it replaced the International Cross Country Championships. It was an annual competition until 2011, when World Athletics changed it to a biennial event.

## History

Traditionally, the World Cross Country Championships consisted of four races: one each for men (12 km) and for women (8 km); and one each for junior men (8 km) and for junior women (6 km). Scoring was done for individuals and for national teams. In the team competition, the finishing positions of the top six scorers from a team of up to nine are summed for the men and women, respectively, and the lowest score wins. For the junior races, the top three from a team of up to four are scored.
The year 1998 saw the introduction of two new events at the World Cross Country Championships, a short race for men and a short race for women. The last time these 4 km races were held was 2006, and there are no public plans to bring them back.
In an incredible show of dominance, the senior men's team race was won by Ethiopia or Kenya every year from 1981 to 2017 in both the short and long races. In the senior men's 12 km race, Kenya won the world championships for an astounding 18 years in a row, from 1986 through 2003, a record of unequaled international success. Kenya and Ethiopia have enjoyed a similar strangle-hold on the other categories. On the women's side, only one other nation has won the long team race since 1991, namely, Portugal in 1994. These African nations were not quite so dominant in the short races, but they have won every women's junior race since its introduction in 1989.
Several athletes have won two or more individual titles: Craig Virgin, who is the only American to ever win at World Cross Country Championships, which he did twice; Carlos Lopes, the first man to win three times (although Jack Holden won the International Cross Country Championships four times between 1933 and 1939, Gaston Roelants between 1962 and 1972); John Ngugi, the first man to win five times; Paul Tergat, the first man to win five times in a row; Kenenisa Bekele, the only man to win both the short and long courses in the same year, which he did five years in a row, and whose win in 2008 gave him six long course championships, the most of anyone in history; Sonia O'Sullivan, first athlete ever to win both the long and short course double in the same year; Grete Waitz, the first woman to win five times (although Doris Brown Heritage won the International Cross Country Championships five times between 1967 and 1971); Lynn Jennings, who won three times; Derartu Tulu, who won three times; Tirunesh Dibaba, who won three times in the long course and once in the short course; Zola Budd, who became the youngest ever winner when she won in 1985 and then won again in 1986; Gete Wami, who won twice at the long course and once at the short; and Edith Masai, who won the short race three times. Tirunesh Dibaba was also once the junior women's champion.
Many consider the World Cross Country Championships to be the most difficult races to win, even more difficult than the Olympic Games. At most major championships, the world's best distance runners are separated into a few races, i.e. 3000 m Steeplechase, 5000 m, and 10,000 m. However, in the absence of the short course races, the World Cross Country Championships pit all runners against one another in only one race. Thus, the competition is quite fierce. It's no wonder, then, that several Olympic Champions have gotten their start as World Cross Country Champions: Carlos Lopes, marathon, 1984; John Ngugi, 5000 m, 1988; Khalid Skah, 10,000 m, 1992; and Kenenisa Bekele, 10,000 m, 2004 and 2008. Numerous other champions have medalled at the Olympic Games or the World Championships, or have set World Records.
In the 206th IAAF Council Meeting, held after the 2016 Summer Olympics, the council decided to add a mixed-gender relay race to the World Cross Country Championships schedule – a first for the event.

## Editions

| Edition | Year | City | Country | Date | Venue | No. of Countries | No. of Athletes |
| 1st | 1973 | Waregem | Belgium | 17 March | Hippodroom Waregem | 21 | 286 |
| 2nd | 1974 | Monza | Italy | 16 March | Mirabello Racecourse | 23 | 269 |
| 3rd | 1975 | Rabat | Morocco | 16 March | Souissi Racecourse | 26 | 316 |
| 4th | 1976 | Chepstow | United Kingdom | 28 February | Chepstow Racecourse | 21 | 306 |
| 5th | 1977 | Düsseldorf | West Germany | 20 March | Galopprennbahn Düsseldorf-Grafenberg | 22 | 345 |
| 6th | 1978 | Glasgow | United Kingdom | 25 March | Bellahouston Park | 27 | 358 |
| 7th | 1979 | Limerick | Ireland | 25 March | Greenpark Racecourse | 27 | 383 |
| 8th | 1980 | Paris | France | 9 March | Hippodrome de Longchamp | 28 | 381 |
| 9th | 1981 | Madrid | Spain | 28 March | Hipódromo de la Zarzuela | 39 | 460 |
| 10th | 1982 | Rome | Italy | 21 March | Ippodromo delle Capannelle | 33 | 382 |
| 11th | 1983 | Gateshead | United Kingdom | 20 March | Riverside Park | 35 | 431 |
| 12th | 1984 | East Rutherford | United States | 25 March | Meadowlands Racetrack | 40 | 443 |
| 13th | 1985 | Lisbon | Portugal | 24 March | Sports Complex of Jamor | 50 | 570 |
| 14th | 1986 | Colombier | Switzerland | 23 March | Planeyse Colombier | 57 | 670 |
| 15th | 1987 | Warsaw | Poland | 22 March | Służewiec Racecourse | 47 | 576 |
| 16th | 1988 | Auckland | New Zealand | 26 March | Ellerslie Racecourse | 41 | 441 |
| 17th | 1989 | Stavanger | Norway | 19 March | Scanvest Ring | 41 | 568 |
| 18th | 1990 | Aix-les-Bains | France | 25 March | Hippodrome de Marlioz | 59 | 617 |
| 19th | 1991 | Antwerp | Belgium | 24 March | Linkeroever Racecourse | 51 | 633 |
| 20th | 1992 | Boston | United States | 21 March | Franklin Park | 53 | 580 |
| 21st | 1993 | Amorebieta | Spain | 28 March | Jaureguibarría Course | 54 | 653 |
| 22nd | 1994 | Budapest | Hungary | 26 March | Kincsem Park | 60 | 760 |
| 23rd | 1995 | Durham | United Kingdom | 25 March | University of Durham | 58 | 619 |
| 24th | 1996 | Stellenbosch | South Africa | 23 March | Danie Craven Stadium | 65 | 669 |
| 25th | 1997 | Torino | Italy | 23 March | Parco del Valentino | 72 | 725 |
| 26th | 1998 | Marrakech | Morocco | 21/22 March | Menara district | 66 | 707 |
| 27th | 1999 | Belfast | United Kingdom | 27/28 March | Barnett Demesne | 66 | 759 |
| 28th | 2000 | Vilamoura | Portugal | 18/19 March | Sporting Complex of Vilamoura | 76 | 805 |
| 29th | 2001 | Ostend | Belgium | 24/25 March | Hippodrome Wellington | 67 | 790 |
| 30th | 2002 | Dublin | Ireland | 23/24 March | Leopardstown Racecourse | 59 | 664 |
| 31st | 2003 | Lausanne | Switzerland | 29/30 March | Institut équestre national d'Avenches [fr] | 65 | 605 |
| 32nd | 2004 | Brussels | Belgium | 20/21 March | Ossegem Park | 72 | 673 |
| 33rd | 2005 | Saint-Galmier | France | 19/20 March | Hippodrome Joseph-Desjoyaux | 72 | 695 |
| 34th | 2006 | Fukuoka | Japan | 1/2 April | Umi-no-nakamichi Seaside Park | 59 | 574 |
| 35th | 2007 | Mombasa | Kenya | 24 March | Mombasa Golf Course | 63 | 470 |
| 36th | 2008 | Edinburgh | United Kingdom | 30 March | Holyrood Park | 23 | 448 |
| 37th | 2009 | Amman | Jordan | 28 March | Al Bisharat Golf Course | 57 | 459 |
| 38th | 2010 | Bydgoszcz | Poland | 28 March | Myślęcinek Park | 59 | 437 |
| 39th | 2011 | Punta Umbría | Spain | 20 March | Polideportivo Antonio Gil Hernández | 51 | 423 |
| 40th | 2013 | Bydgoszcz | Poland | 24 March | Myślęcinek Park | 41 | 398 |
| 41st | 2015 | Guiyang | China | 28 March | Guiyang horse racing circuit | 51 | 410 |
| 42nd | 2017 | Kampala | Uganda | 26 March | Kololo Independence Grounds | 60 | 557 |
| 43rd | 2019 | Aarhus | Denmark | 30 March | Moesgaard Museum | 63 | 520 |
| 44th | 2023 | Bathurst | Australia | 18 February | Mount Panorama Circuit | 48 | 453 |
| 45th | 2024 | Belgrade | Serbia | 30 March | Park of Friendship | | |
| 46th | 2026 | Tallahassee | United States | 10 January | Apalachee Regional Park | | |

## Doping

As in other areas of the sport, athletes at the competition are prohibited from doping and tests are undertaken before and at the championships to ensure athletes obey the regulations. A total of fourteen doping violations have occurred at the World Cross Country Championships, with the first violation coming from Cosmas Ndeti who was the original runner-up at the 1988 junior men's race; he remains the only athlete stripped of a medal for doping. Seven doping violations have come from Moroccan athletes, with Portuguese athletes accounting for a further three. The 2010 and 2011 editions had the highest number of doping violations, with totals of four and five, respectively. The senior men's long race has produced the highest number of violations, with eight in total.
| Year | Athlete | Country | Race | Original placing |
| 1988 | Cosmas Ndeti | Kenya | Junior men | 2nd |
| 2002 | Hamid El Mouaziz | Morocco | Men's long | 44th |
| 2006 | Yuliya Mochalova | Russia | Junior women | 24th |
| 2007 | Binnaz Uslu | Turkey | Women's | DNF |
| 2008 | Fethi Meftah | Algeria | Men's | 35th |
| 2010 | Chakir Boujattaoui | Morocco | Men's | 12th |
| 2010 | Ahmed Baday | Morocco | Men's | 29th |
| 2010 | Hélder Ornelas | Portugal | Men's | 75th |
| 2010 | Hanane Ouhaddou | Morocco | Women's | 56th |
| 2011 | Nuno Costa | Portugal | Men's | 34th |
| 2011 | José Rocha | Portugal | Men's | 41st |
| 2011 | Hafid Chani | Morocco | Men's | DNF |
| 2011 | Najim El Gady | Morocco | Men's | DNF |
| 2011 | Hanane Ouhaddou | Morocco | Women's | 81st |

## Medals
### Senior Men's Individual Medals

| Year | Gold | Gold | Silver | Silver | Bronze | Bronze |
| 1973 (11.98 km) | Pekka Päivärinta Finland | 35:46.4 | Mariano Haro Spain | 35:46.5 | Rod Dixon New Zealand | 36:00 |
| 1974 (12 km) | Eric de Beck Belgium | 35:23.8 | Mariano Haro Spain | 35:24.6 | Karel Lismont Belgium | 35:26.6 |
| 1975 (12 km) | Ian Stewart Scotland | 35:20 | Mariano Haro Spain | 35:21 | Bill Rodgers United States | 35:27.4 |
| 1976 (12 km) | Carlos Lopes Portugal | 34:47.8 | Tony Simmons England | 35:04 | Bernie Ford England | 35:07 |
| 1977 (12.3 km) | Léon Schots Belgium | 37:43 | Carlos Lopes Portugal | 37:48.2 | Detlef Uhlemann West Germany | 37:52.2 |
| 1978 (12.3 km) | John Treacy Ireland | 39:25 | Aleksandr Antipov Soviet Union | 39:28 | Karel Lismont Belgium | 39:32 |
| 1979 (12 km) | John Treacy Ireland | 37:20 | Bronisław Malinowski Poland | 37:29 | Aleksandr Antipov Soviet Union | 37:30 |
| 1980 (12.58 km) | Craig Virgin United States | 37:01 | Hans-Jürgen Orthmann West Germany | 37:02 | Nick Rose England | 37:05 |
| 1981 (12 km) | Craig Virgin United States | 35:05 | Mohammed Kedir Ethiopia | 35:07 | Fernando Mamede Portugal | 35:09 |
| 1982 (11.978 km) | Mohammed Kedir Ethiopia | 33:40.5 | Alberto Salazar United States | 33:44.8 | Rod Dixon New Zealand | 34:01.8 |
| 1983 (11.994 km) | Bekele Debele Ethiopia | 36:52 | Carlos Lopes Portugal | 36:52 | Some Muge Kenya | 36:52 |
| 1984 (12.086 km) | Carlos Lopes Portugal | 33:25 | Tim Hutchings England | 33:30 | Steve Jones Wales | 33:32 |
| 1985 (12.19 km) | Carlos Lopes Portugal | 33:33 | Paul Kipkoech Kenya | 33:37 | Wodajo Bulti Ethiopia | 33:38 |
| 1986 (12 km) | John Ngugi Kenya | 35:32.9 | Abebe Mekonnen Ethiopia | 35:34.8 | Joseph Kiptum Kenya | 35:39.8 |
| 1987 (11.95 km) | John Ngugi Kenya | 36:07 | Paul Kipkoech Kenya | 36:07 | Paul Arpin France | 36:51 |
| 1988 (12 km) | John Ngugi Kenya | 34:32 | Paul Kipkoech Kenya | 34:54 | Kipsubai Koskei Kenya | 35:07 |
| 1989 (12 km) | John Ngugi Kenya | 39:42 | Tim Hutchings United Kingdom | 40:10 | Wilfred Kirochi Kenya | 40:21 |
| 1990 (12.2 km) | Khalid Skah Morocco | 34:21 | Moses Tanui Kenya | 34:21 | Julius M. Korir Kenya | 34:22 |
| 1991 (11.764 km) | Khalid Skah Morocco | 33:53 | Moses Tanui Kenya | 33:54 | Simon Karori Kenya | 33:54 |
| 1992 (12.53 km) | John Ngugi Kenya | 37:05 | William Mutwol Kenya | 37:17 | Fita Bayissa Ethiopia | 37:18 |
| 1993 (11.75 km) | William Sigei Kenya | 32:51 | Dominic Kirui Kenya | 32:56 | Ismael Kirui Kenya | 32:59 |
| 1994 (12.06 km) | William Sigei Kenya | 34:29 | Simon Chemoiywo Kenya | 34:30 | Haile Gebrselassie Ethiopia | 34:32 |
| 1995 (12.02 km) | Paul Tergat Kenya | 34:05 | Ismael Kirui Kenya | 34:13 | Salah Hissou Morocco | 34:14 |
| 1996 (12.15 km) | Paul Tergat Kenya | 33:44 | Salah Hissou Morocco | 33:56 | Ismael Kirui Kenya | 33:57 |
| 1997 (12.333 km) | Paul Tergat Kenya | 35:11 | Salah Hissou Morocco | 35:13 | Tom Nyariki Kenya | 35:20 |
| 1998 (12 km) | Paul Tergat Kenya | 34:01 | Paul Koech Kenya | 34:06 | Assefa Mezegebu Ethiopia | 34:28 |
| 1999 (12 km) | Paul Tergat Kenya | 38:28 | Patrick Ivuti Kenya | 38:32 | Paulo Guerra Portugal | 38:46 |
| 2000 (12.3 km) | Mohammed Mourhit Belgium | 35:00 | Assefa Mezegebu Ethiopia | 35:01 | Paul Tergat Kenya | 35:02 |
| 2001 (12.3 km) | Mohammed Mourhit Belgium | 39:53 | Sergiy Lebid Ukraine | 40:03 | Charles Kamathi Kenya | 40:05 |
| 2002 (11.998 km) | Kenenisa Bekele Ethiopia | 34:52 | John Yuda Tanzania | 34:58 | Wilberforce Talel Kenya | 35:20 |
| 2003 (12.355 km) | Kenenisa Bekele Ethiopia | 35:56 | Patrick Ivuti Kenya | 36:09 | Gebre-egziabher Gebremariam Ethiopia | 36:17 |
| 2004 (12 km) | Kenenisa Bekele Ethiopia | 35:52 | Gebre-egziabher Gebremariam Ethiopia | 36:10 | Sileshi Sihine Ethiopia | 36:11 |
| 2005 (12.02 km) | Kenenisa Bekele Ethiopia | 35:06 | Zersenay Tadesse Eritrea | 35:20 | Abdullah Ahmed Hassan Qatar | 35:34 |
| 2006 (12 km) | Kenenisa Bekele Ethiopia | 35:40 | Sileshi Sihine Ethiopia | 35:43 | Martin Mathathi Kenya | 35:44 |
| 2007 (12 km) | Zersenay Tadese Eritrea | 35:50 | Moses Mosop Kenya | 36:13 | Bernard Kiprop Kipyego Kenya | 36:37 |
| 2008 (12 km) | Kenenisa Bekele Ethiopia | 34:38 | Leonard Patrick Komon Kenya | 34:41 | Zersenay Tadese Eritrea | 34:43 |
| 2009 (12 km) | Gebre-egziabher Gebremariam Ethiopia | 35:02 | Moses Ndiema Kipsiro Uganda | 35:04 | Zersenay Tadese Eritrea | 35:04 |
| 2010 (11.611 km) | Joseph Ebuya Kenya | 33:00 | Teklemariam Medhin Eritrea | 33:06 | Moses Ndiema Kipsiro Uganda | 33:10 |
| 2011 (12 km) | Imane Merga Ethiopia | 33:50 | Paul Kipngetich Tanui Kenya | 33:52 | Vincent Kiprop Chepkok Kenya | 33:53 |
| 2013 (12 km) | Japhet Kipyegon Korir Kenya | 32:45 | Imane Merga Ethiopia | 32:51 | Teklemariam Medhin Eritrea | 32:54 |
| 2015 (12 km) | Geoffrey Kipsang Kamworor Kenya | 34:52 | Bedan Karoki Muchiri Kenya | 35:00 | Muktar Edris Ethiopia | 35:06 |
| 2017 (9.858 km) | Geoffrey Kipsang Kamworor Kenya | 28:24 | Leonard Barsoton Kenya | 28:36 | Abadi Hadis Ethiopia | 28:43 |
| 2019 (10 km) | Joshua Cheptegei Uganda | 31:40 | Jacob Kiplimo Uganda | 31:44 | Geoffrey Kipsang Kamworor Kenya | 31:55 |
| 2023 (10 km) | Jacob Kiplimo Uganda | 29:17 | Berihu Aregawi Ethiopia | 29:26 | Joshua Cheptegei Uganda | 29:37 |
| 2024 (10 km) | Jacob Kiplimo Uganda | 28:09 | Berihu Aregawi Ethiopia | 28:12 | Benson Kiplangat Kenya | 28:14 |

### Senior Men's Team Medals

| Year | Gold | Gold | Silver | Silver | Bronze | Bronze |
| 1973 | Belgium | 109 | Soviet Union | 119 | New Zealand | 136 |
| 1974 | Belgium | 103 | England | 109 | France | 215 |
| 1975 | New Zealand | 127 | England | 198 | Belgium | 211 |
| 1976 | England | 90 | Belgium | 118 | France | 187 |
| 1977 | Belgium | 126 | England | 129 | Soviet Union | 144 |
| 1978 | France | 151 | United States | 156 | England | 159 |
| 1979 | England | 119 | Ireland | 198 | Soviet Union | 210 |
| 1980 | England | 100 | United States | 163 | Belgium | 175 |
| 1981 | Ethiopia | 81 | United States | 114 | Kenya | 220 |
| 1982 | Ethiopia | 98 | England | 114 | Soviet Union | 257 |
| 1983 | Ethiopia | 104 | United States | 170 | Kenya | 191 |
| 1984 | Ethiopia | 134 | United States | 161 | Portugal | 223 |
| 1985 | Ethiopia | 129 | Kenya | 141 | United States | 153 |
| 1986 | Kenya | 45 | Ethiopia | 119 | United States | 204 |
| 1987 | Kenya | 53 | England | 146 | Ethiopia | 161 |
| 1988 | Kenya | 23 | Ethiopia | 103 | France | 134 |
| 1989 | Kenya | 44 | United Kingdom | 147 | Ethiopia | 162 |
| 1990 | Kenya | 42 | Ethiopia | 96 | Spain | 176 |
| 1991 | Kenya | 38 | Ethiopia | 104 | Spain | 198 |
| 1992 | Kenya | 46 | France | 145 | United Kingdom | 147 |
| 1993 | Kenya | 25 | Ethiopia | 82 | Portugal | 167 |
| 1994 | Kenya | 34 | Morocco | 83 | Ethiopia | 133 |
| 1995 | Kenya | 62 | Morocco | 111 | Spain | 120 |
| 1996 | Kenya | 33 | Morocco | 99 | Ethiopia | 107 |
| 1997 | Kenya | 51 | Morocco | 70 | Ethiopia | 125 |
| 1998 | Kenya | 12 | Ethiopia | 57 | Morocco | 60 |
| 1999 | Kenya | 12 | Ethiopia | 57 | Portugal | 76 |
| 2000 | Kenya | 18 | Ethiopia | 68 | Portugal | 69 |
| 2001 | Kenya | 33 | France | 72 | United States | 87 |
| 2002 | Kenya | 18 | Ethiopia | 43 | Morocco | 58 |
| 2003 | Kenya | 17 | Ethiopia | 23 | Morocco | 51 |
| 2004 | Ethiopia | 14 | Kenya | 30 | Eritrea | 66 |
| 2005 | Ethiopia | 24 | Kenya | 35 | Qatar | 42 |
| 2006 | Kenya | 24 | Eritrea | 28 | Ethiopia | 42 |
| 2007 | Kenya | 29 | Morocco | 152 | Uganda | 191 |
| 2008 | Kenya | 39 | Ethiopia | 104 | Qatar | 143 |
| 2009 | Kenya | 28 | Ethiopia | 28 | Eritrea | 50 |
| 2010 | Kenya | 20 | Eritrea | 46 | Ethiopia | 69 |
| 2011 | Kenya | 14 | Ethiopia | 38 | Uganda | 49 |
| 2013 | Ethiopia | 38 | United States | 52 | Kenya | 54 |
| 2015 | Ethiopia | 20 | Kenya | 20 | Bahrain | 54 |
| 2017 | Ethiopia | 21 | Kenya | 22 | Uganda | 72 |
| 2019 | Uganda | 20 | Kenya | 43 | Kenya | 46 |
| 2023 | Kenya | 22 | Ethiopia | 32 | Uganda | 37 |

### Senior Men's Team Medal table

| Rank | Nation | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
| 1 | Kenya | 25 | 6 | 4 | 35 |
| 2 | Ethiopia | 10 | 14 | 7 | 31 |
| 3 | England | 3 | 5 | 1 | 9 |
| 4 | Belgium | 3 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
| 5 | France | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 |
| 6 | Uganda | 1 | 0 | 4 | 5 |
| 7 | New Zealand | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 8 | United States | 0 | 6 | 3 | 9 |
| 9 | Morocco | 0 | 5 | 3 | 8 |
| 10 | Eritrea | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 11 | Soviet Union | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| 12 | Great Britain | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 13 | Ireland | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 14 | Portugal | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| 15 | Spain | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| 16 | Qatar | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 17 | Bahrain | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Totals (17 entries) | Totals (17 entries) | 44 | 44 | 44 | 132 |

### Senior Women's Individual Medals

| Year | Gold | Gold | Silver | Silver | Bronze | Bronze |
| 1973 (3.99 km) | Paola Pigni Italy | 13:45.2 | Joyce Smith England | 13:58 | Josee van Santberghe Belgium | 14:01 |
| 1974 (4 km) | Paola Pigni Italy | 12:42 | Nina Holmén Finland | 12:47.6 | Rita Ridley England | 12:54 |
| 1975 (3.9 km) | Julie Brown United States | 13:42 | Bronislawa Ludwichowska Poland | 13:47 | Carmen Valero Spain | 13:48 |
| 1976 (4.8 km) | Carmen Valero Spain | 16:19.4 | Tatyana Kazankina Soviet Union | 16:39 | Gabriella Dorio Italy | 16:56 |
| 1977 (5.1 km) | Carmen Valero Spain | 17:26 | Lyudmila Bragina Soviet Union | 17:28 | Giana Romanova Soviet Union | 17:35 |
| 1978 (4.728 km) | Grete Waitz Norway | 16:19 | Natalia Mărăşescu Romania | 16:49 | Maricica Puică Romania | 16:59 |
| 1979 (5.04 km) | Grete Waitz Norway | 16:48 | Raisa Smekhnova Soviet Union | 17:14 | Ellison Goodall United States | 17:18 |
| 1980 (4.82 km) | Grete Waitz Norway | 15:05 | Irina Bondarchuk Soviet Union | 15:49 | Yelena Chernysheva Soviet Union | 15:52 |
| 1981 (4.41 km) | Grete Waitz Norway | 14:07 | Jan Merrill United States | 14:22 | Yelena Sipatova Soviet Union | 14:22 |
| 1982 (4.663 km) | Maricica Puică Romania | 14:38.9 | Fiţa Lovin Romania | 14:40.5 | Grete Waitz Norway | 14:43.9 |
| 1983 (4.072 km) | Grete Waitz Norway | 13:29 | Alison Wiley Canada | 13:37 | Tatyana Pozdnyakova Soviet Union | 13:37 |
| 1984 (5 km) | Maricica Puică Romania | 15:56 | Galina Zakharova Soviet Union | 15:58 | Grete Waitz Norway | 15:58 |
| 1985 (4.99 km) | Zola Budd England | 15:01 | Cathy Branta United States | 15:24 | Ingrid Kristiansen Norway | 15:27 |
| 1986 (4.65 km) | Zola Budd England | 14:49.6 | Lynn Jennings United States | 15:07.8 | Annette Sergent France | 15:12.2 |
| 1987 (5.05 km) | Annette Sergent France | 16:46 | Liz Lynch Scotland | 16:48 | Ingrid Kristiansen Norway | 16:51 |
| 1988 (5.962 km) | Ingrid Kristiansen Norway | 19:04 | Angela Tooby United Kingdom | 19:23 | Annette Sergent France | 19:29 |
| 1989 (6 km) | Annette Sergent France | 22:27 | Nadezhda Stepanova Soviet Union | 22:34 | Lynn Williams Canada | 22:41 |
| 1990 (6 km) | Lynn Jennings United States | 19:21 | Albertina Dias Portugal | 19:33 | Yelena Romanova Soviet Union | 19:33 |
| 1991 (6.425 km) | Lynn Jennings United States | 20:24 | Derartu Tulu Ethiopia | 20:27 | Liz McColgan United Kingdom | 20:28 |
| 1992 (6.37 km) | Lynn Jennings United States | 21:16 | Catherina McKiernan Ireland | 21:18 | Albertina Dias Portugal | 21:19 |
| 1993 (6.35 km) | Albertina Dias Portugal | 20:00 | Catherina McKiernan Ireland | 20:09 | Lynn Jennings United States | 20:09 |
| 1994 (6.22 km) | Hellen Chepngeno Kenya | 20:45 | Catherina McKiernan Ireland | 20:52 | Conceição Ferreira Portugal | 20:52 |
| 1995 (6.47 km) | Derartu Tulu Ethiopia | 20:21 | Catherina McKiernan Ireland | 20:29 | Sally Barsosio Kenya | 20:39 |
| 1996 (6.3 km) | Gete Wami Ethiopia | 20:12 | Rose Cheruiyot Kenya | 20:18 | Naomi Mugo Kenya | 20:21 |
| 1997 (6.6 km) | Derartu Tulu Ethiopia | 20:53 | Paula Radcliffe United Kingdom | 20:55 | Gete Wami Ethiopia | 21:00 |
| 1998 (8 km) | Sonia O'Sullivan Ireland | 25:39 | Paula Radcliffe United Kingdom | 25:42 | Gete Wami Ethiopia | 25:49 |
| 1999 (8.012 km) | Gete Wami Ethiopia | 28:00 | Merima Denboba Ethiopia | 28:12 | Paula Radcliffe United Kingdom | 28:12 |
| 2000 (8.08 km) | Derartu Tulu Ethiopia | 25:42 | Gete Wami Ethiopia | 25:48 | Susan Chepkemei Kenya | 25:50 |
| 2001 (7.7 km) | Paula Radcliffe United Kingdom | 27:49 | Gete Wami Ethiopia | 27:52 | Lydia Cheromei Kenya | 28:07 |
| 2002 (7.974 km) | Paula Radcliffe United Kingdom | 26:55 | Deena Drossin United States | 27:04 | Colleen de Reuck United States | 27:17 |
| 2003 (7.92 km) | Worknesh Kidane Ethiopia | 25:53 | Deena Drossin United States | 26:02 | Merima Denboba Ethiopia | 26:28 |
| 2004 (8 km) | Benita Johnson Australia | 27:17 | Ejagayehu Dibaba Ethiopia | 27:29 | Worknesh Kidane Ethiopia | 27:34 |
| 2005 (8.108 km) | Tirunesh Dibaba Ethiopia | 26:34 | Alice Timbilil Kenya | 26:37 | Worknesh Kidane Ethiopia | 26:37 |
| 2006 (8 km) | Tirunesh Dibaba Ethiopia | 25:21 | Lornah Kiplagat Netherlands | 25:26 | Meselech Melkamu Ethiopia | 25:38 |
| 2007 (8 km) | Lornah Kiplagat Netherlands | 26:23 | Tirunesh Dibaba Ethiopia | 26:47 | Meselech Melkamu Ethiopia | 26:48 |
| 2008 (7.905 km) | Tirunesh Dibaba Ethiopia | 25:10 | Mestawet Tufa Ethiopia | 25:15 | Linet Chepkwemoi Masai Kenya | 25:18 |
| 2009 (8 km) | Florence Jebet Kiplagat Kenya | 26:13 | Linet Chepkwemoi Masai Kenya | 26:16 | Meselech Melkamu Ethiopia | 26:19 |
| 2010 (7.759 km) | Emily Chebet Kenya | 24:19 | Linet Chepkwemoi Masai Kenya | 24:20 | Meselech Melkamu Ethiopia | 24:26 |
| 2011 (8 km) | Vivian Jepkemoi Cheruiyot Kenya | 24:58 | Linet Chepkwemoi Masai Kenya | 25:07 | Shalane Flanagan United States | 25:10 |
| 2013 (8 km) | Emily Chebet Kenya | 24:24 | Hiwot Ayalew Ethiopia | 24:27 | Belaynesh Oljira Ethiopia | 24:33 |
| 2015 (8 km) | Agnes Jebet Tirop Kenya | 26:01 | Senbere Teferi Ethiopia | 26:06 | Netsanet Gudeta Ethiopia | 26:11 |
| 2017 (9.858 km) | Irene Cheptai Kenya | 31:57 | Alice Aprot Nawowuna Kenya | 32:01 | Lilian Rengeruk Kenya | 32:11 |
| 2019 (10 km) | Hellen Obiri Kenya | 36:14 | Dera Dida Ethiopia | 36:16 | Letesenbet Gidey Ethiopia | 36:24 |
| 2023 (10 km) | Beatrice Chebet Kenya | 33:48 | Tsigie Gebreselama Ethiopia | 33:56 | Agnes Jebet Ngetich Kenya | 34:00 |

### Senior Women's Team Medals

| Year | Gold | Gold | Silver | Silver | Bronze | Bronze |
| 1973 | England | 40 | Finland | 73 | United States | 90 |
| 1974 | England | 28 | Italy | 50 | Finland | 61 |
| 1975 | United States | 44 | New Zealand | 50 | Poland | 61 |
| 1976 | Soviet Union | 33 | Italy | 59 | United States | 64 |
| 1977 | Soviet Union | 15 | United States | 48 | New Zealand | 76 |
| 1978 | Romania | 30 | United States | 37 | England | 55 |
| 1979 | United States | 29 | Soviet Union | 48 | England | 68 |
| 1980 | Soviet Union | 15 | England | 49 | United States | 49 |
| 1981 | Soviet Union | 24 | United States | 36 | Italy | 89 |
| 1982 | Soviet Union | 44 | Italy | 57 | England | 67 |
| 1983 | United States | 31 | Soviet Union | 41 | Canada | 53 |
| 1984 | United States | 52 | England | 65 | New Zealand | 91 |
| 1985 | United States | 42 | Soviet Union | 77 | Romania | 96 |
| 1986 | England | 65 | New Zealand | 67 | France | 76 |
| 1987 | United States | 46 | France | 50 | Soviet Union | 55 |
| 1988 | Soviet Union | 51 | United Kingdom | 61 | France | 72 |
| 1989 | Soviet Union | 58 | France | 60 | United States | 68 |
| 1990 | Soviet Union | 37 | Ethiopia | 75 | Portugal | 80 |
| 1991 | Kenya | 36 | Ethiopia | 36 | Soviet Union | 48 |
| 1992 | Kenya | 47 | United States | 77 | Ethiopia | 96 |
| 1993 | Kenya | 52 | Japan | 93 | France | 100 |
| 1994 | Portugal | 55 | Ethiopia | 65 | Kenya | 75 |
| 1995 | Kenya | 26 | Ethiopia | 38 | Romania | 84 |
| 1996 | Kenya | 24 | Ethiopia | 44 | Romania | 70 |
| 1997 | Ethiopia | 24 | Kenya | 34 | Ireland | 64 |
| 1998 | Kenya | 30 | Ethiopia | 37 | United Kingdom | 74 |
| 1999 | Ethiopia | 18 | Kenya | 27 | Portugal | 94 |
| 2000 | Ethiopia | 20 | Kenya | 23 | United States | 98 |
| 2001 | Kenya | 18 | Ethiopia | 70 | France | 77 |
| 2002 | Ethiopia | 28 | United States | 38 | Kenya | 41 |
| 2003 | Ethiopia | 17 | Kenya | 30 | United States | 36 |
| 2004 | Ethiopia | 26 | Kenya | 30 | United Kingdom | 74 |
| 2005 | Ethiopia | 16 | Kenya | 22 | Portugal | 86 |
| 2006 | Ethiopia | 16 | Kenya | 39 | Japan | 80 |
| 2007 | Ethiopia | 19 | Kenya | 26 | Morocco | 99 |
| 2008 | Ethiopia | 18 | Kenya | 22 | Australia | 84 |
| 2009 | Kenya | 14 | Ethiopia | 28 | Portugal | 72 |
| 2010 | Kenya | 14 | Ethiopia | 22 | United States | 76 |
| 2011 | Kenya | 15 | Ethiopia | 29 | United States | 57 |
| 2013 | Kenya | 19 | Ethiopia | 48 | Bahrain | 73 |
| 2015 | Ethiopia | 17 | Kenya | 19 | Uganda | 101 |
| 2017 | Kenya | 10 | Ethiopia | 45 | Bahrain | 59 |
| 2019 | Ethiopia | 21 | Kenya | 25 | Uganda | 36 |
| 2023 | Kenya | 16 | Ethiopia | 25 | Uganda | 41 |

### Men's Short Race Individual Medals

| Year | Gold | Gold | Silver | Silver | Bronze | Bronze |
| 1998 (4 km) | John Kibowen Kenya | 10:43 | Daniel Komen Kenya | 10:46 | Paul Kosgei Kenya | 10:50 |
| 1999 (4.236 km) | Benjamin Limo Kenya | 12:28 | Paul Kosgei Kenya | 12:31 | Haylu Mekonnen Ethiopia | 12:35 |
| 2000 (4.18 km) | John Kibowen Kenya | 11:11 | Sammy Kipketer Kenya | 11:12 | Paul Kosgei Kenya | 11:15 |
| 2001 (4.1 km) | Enock Koech Kenya | 12:40 | Kenenisa Bekele Ethiopia | 12:42 | Benjamin Limo Kenya | 12:43 |
| 2002 (4.208 km) | Kenenisa Bekele Ethiopia | 12:11 | Luke Kipkosgei Kenya | 12:18 | Haylu Mekonnen Ethiopia | 12:20 |
| 2003 (4.03 km) | Kenenisa Bekele Ethiopia | 11:01 | John Kibowen Kenya | 11:04 | Benjamin Limo Kenya | 11:06 |
| 2004 (4 km) | Kenenisa Bekele Ethiopia | 11:31 | Gebre-egziabher Gebremariam Ethiopia | 11:36 | Maregu Zewdie Ethiopia | 11:42 |
| 2005 (4.196 km) | Kenenisa Bekele Ethiopia | 11:33 | Abraham Chebii Kenya | 11:38 | Isaac Songok Kenya | 11:39 |
| 2006 (4 km) | Kenenisa Bekele Ethiopia | 10:54 | Isaac Songok Kenya | 10:55 | Adil Kaouch Morocco | 10:57 |

### Men's Short Race Team Medals

| Year | Gold | Gold | Silver | Silver | Bronze | Bronze |
| 1998 | Kenya | 10 | Morocco | 42 | Ethiopia | 60 |
| 1999 | Kenya | 14 | Morocco | 45 | Ethiopia | 55 |
| 2000 | Kenya | 10 | Ethiopia | 46 | Morocco | 68 |
| 2001 | Kenya | 13 | Morocco | 48 | Ethiopia | 51 |
| 2002 | Kenya | 20 | Ethiopia | 32 | Spain | 57 |
| 2003 | Kenya | 14 | Ethiopia | 31 | Morocco | 44 |
| 2004 | Ethiopia | 17 | Qatar | 39 | Kenya | 52 |
| 2005 | Ethiopia | 23 | Kenya | 31 | Qatar | 32 |
| 2006 | Kenya | 21 | Ethiopia | 48 | Morocco | 53 |

### Women's Short Race Individual Medals

| Year | Gold | Gold | Silver | Silver | Bronze | Bronze |
| 1998 (4 km) | Sonia O'Sullivan Ireland | 12:20 | Zahra Ouaziz Morocco | 12:34 | Kutre Dulecha Ethiopia | 12:37 |
| 1999 (4.236 km) | Jackline Maranga Kenya | 15:09 | Yamna Belkacem France | 15:16 | Annemari Sandell Finland | 15:17 |
| 2000 (4.18 km) | Kutre Dulecha Ethiopia | 13:00 | Zahra Ouaziz Morocco | 13:00 | Margaret Ngotho Kenya | 13:00 |
| 2001 (4.1 km) | Gete Wami Ethiopia | 14:46 | Paula Radcliffe United Kingdom | 14:47 | Edith Masai Kenya | 14:57 |
| 2002 (4.208 km) | Edith Masai Kenya | 13:30 | Worknesh Kidane Ethiopia | 13:36 | Isabella Ochichi Kenya | 13:39 |
| 2003 (4.03 km) | Edith Masai Kenya | 12:43 | Worknesh Kidane Ethiopia | 12:44 | Jane Wanjiku Kenya | 12:46 |
| 2004 (4 km) | Edith Masai Kenya | 13:07 | Tirunesh Dibaba Ethiopia | 13:09 | Teyiba Erkesso Ethiopia | 13:11 |
| 2005 (4.196 km) | Tirunesh Dibaba Ethiopia | 13:15 | Worknesh Kidane Ethiopia | 13:16 | Isabella Ochichi Kenya | 13:21 |
| 2006 (4 km) | Gelete Burka Ethiopia | 12:51 | Prisca Ngetich Kenya | 12:53 | Meselech Melkamu Ethiopia | 12:54 |

### Women's Short Race Team Medals

| Year | Gold | Gold | Silver | Silver | Bronze | Bronze |
| 1998 | Morocco | 57 | Ethiopia | 58 | United States | 68 |
| 1999 | France | 40 | Ethiopia | 48 | Morocco | 69 |
| 2000 | Portugal | 46 | Ethiopia | 55 | France | 57 |
| 2001 | Ethiopia | 26 | Kenya | 32 | Romania | 78 |
| 2002 | Ethiopia | 32 | Kenya | 34 | Ireland | 85 |
| 2003 | Kenya | 18 | Ethiopia | 24 | Russia | 76 |
| 2004 | Ethiopia | 19 | Kenya | 21 | Canada | 87 |
| 2005 | Ethiopia | 18 | Kenya | 19 | United States | 67 |
| 2006 | Ethiopia | 25 | Kenya | 26 | Australia | 69 |

### Junior Men's Individual Medals

| Year | Gold | Gold | Silver | Silver | Bronze | Bronze |
| 1973 (7 km) | Jim Brown Scotland | 20:52.8 | José Haro Spain | 21:00.6 | Léon Schots Belgium | 21:07.2 |
| 1974 (7.1 km) | Rich Kimball United States | 21:30.8 | Venanzio Ortis Italy | 21:33 | John Treacy Ireland | 21:42.4 |
| 1975 (7 km) | Bobb Thomas United States | 20:59.8 | José Luis González Spain | 21:18 | John Treacy Ireland | 21:23 |
| 1976 (7.8 km) | Eric Hulst United States | 23:53.8 | Thom Hunt United States | 24:06.8 | Nat Muir Scotland | 24:17 |
| 1977 (7.5 km) | Thom Hunt United States | 23:15 | Santiago Llorente Spain | 23:28 | Ari Paunonen Finland | 23:39 |
| 1978 (7.036 km) | Mick Morton England | 22:57 | Rob Earl Canada | 23:10 | Francisco Alario Spain | 23:11 |
| 1979 (7.36 km) | Eddy de Pauw Belgium | 23:02 | Steve Binns England | 23:09 | Ildar Denikeyev Soviet Union | 23:20 |
| 1980 (7.41 km) | Jordi Garcia Spain | 22:17 | Valeriy Gryaznov Soviet Union | 22:23 | Ed Eyestone United States | 22:27 |
| 1981 (7.25 km) | Mohammed Chouri Tunisia | 22:04 | Yevgeniy Zherebin Soviet Union | 22:06 | Keith Brantly United States | 22:07 |
| 1982 (7.926 km) | Zurbachev Gelaw Ethiopia | 22:45.3 | Adugna Lema Ethiopia | 22:46.6 | Stefano Mei Italy | 22:48.7 |
| 1983 (8.033 km) | Fesseha Abebe Ethiopia | 24:58 | Angaso Telega Ethiopia | 24:59 | Jonathan Richards England | 25:07 |
| 1984 (8 km) | Pere Casacuberta Spain | 21:32 | Doju Tessema Ethiopia | 21:34 | John Castellano Canada | 21:37 |
| 1985 (8.19 km) | Kipkemboi Kimeli Kenya | 22:18 | Habte Negash Ethiopia | 22:37 | Wolde Silasse Melkessa Ethiopia | 22:37 |
| 1986 (7.75 km) | Melese Feissa Ethiopia | 22:47.6 | Sammy Bitok Kenya | 22:52.7 | Demeke Bekele Ethiopia | 22:56 |
| 1987 (7.05 km) | Wilfred Kirochi Kenya | 22:18 | Demeke Bekele Ethiopia | 22:18 | Debebe Demisse Ethiopia | 22:20 |
| 1988 (8.031 km) | Wilfred Kirochi Kenya | 23:25 | Alfonce Muindi Kenya | 23:39 | Bedile Kibret Ethiopia | 23:41 |
| 1989 (8 km) | Addis Abebe Ethiopia | 25:07 | Kipyego Kororia Kenya | 25:31 | Stephenson Nyamau Kenya | 25:33 |
| 1990 (8 km) | Kipyego Kororia Kenya | 22:13 | Richard Chelimo Kenya | 22:14 | Fita Bayissa Ethiopia | 22:24 |
| 1991 (8.415 km) | Andrew Sambu Tanzania | 23:59 | Mumo Muindi Kenya | 24:04 | Fita Bayissa Ethiopia | 24:04 |
| 1992 (7.8 km) | Ismael Kirui Kenya | 23:27 | Haile Gebrselassie Ethiopia | 23:35 | Josephat Machuka Kenya | 23:37 |
| 1993 (7.15 km) | Philip Mosima Kenya | 20:18 | Christopher Koskei Kenya | 20:20 | Josephat Machuka Kenya | 20:23 |
| 1994 (8.14 km) | Philip Mosima Kenya | 24:15 | Daniel Komen Kenya | 24:17 | Abreham Tsige Ethiopia | 24:46 |
| 1995 (8.47 km) | Assefa Mezegebu Ethiopia | 24:12 | Dejene Lidetu Ethiopia | 24:14 | David Chelule Kenya | 24:16 |
| 1996 (8.35 km) | David Chelule Kenya | 24:06 | Assefa Mezegebu Ethiopia | 24:19 | Samuel Chepkok Kenya | 24:24 |
| 1997 (8.511 km) | Elijah Korir Kenya | 24:21 | Million Wolde Ethiopia | 24:28 | Paul Kosgei Kenya | 24:29 |
| 1998 (8 km) | Million Wolde Ethiopia | 22:47 | Richard Limo Kenya | 22:50 | Haylu Mekonnen Ethiopia | 22:51 |
| 1999 (8.012 km) | Haylu Mekonnen Ethiopia | 25:38 | Richard Limo Kenya | 25:43 | Kipchumba Mitei Kenya | 25:45 |
| 2000 (8.08 km) | Robert Kipchumba Kenya | 22:49 | Duncan Lebo Kenya | 22:52 | John Cheruiyot Korir Kenya | 22:55 |
| 2001 (7.7 km) | Kenenisa Bekele Ethiopia | 25:04 | Duncan Lebo Kenya | 25:37 | Dathan Ritzenhein United States | 25:46 |
| 2002 (7.974 km) | Gebre-egziabher Gebremariam Ethiopia | 23:18 | Abel Cheruiyot Kenya | 23:19 | Boniface Kiprop Uganda | 23:28 |
| 2003 (7.92 km) | Eliud Kipchoge Kenya | 22:47 | Boniface Kiprop Uganda | 22:49 | Solomon Bushendich Kenya | 22:51 |
| 2004 (8 km) | Meba Tadesse Ethiopia | 24:01 | Boniface Kiprop Uganda | 24:03 | Ernest Meli Kimeli Kenya | 24:16 |
| 2005 (8 km) | Augustine Choge Kenya | 23:59 | Bernard Kiprop Kipyego Kenya | 24:00 | Barnabas Kosgei Kenya | 24:00 |
| 2006 (8 km) | Mang'ata Ndiwa Kenya | 23:53 | Leonard Patrick Komon Kenya | 23:54 | Tariku Bekele Ethiopia | 23:56 |
| 2007 (8 km) | Asbel Kiprop Kenya | 24:07 | Vincent Kiprop Chepkok Kenya | 24:12 | Mathew Kipkoech Kisorio Kenya | 24:23 |
| 2008 (7.905 km) | Ibrahim Jeilan Ethiopia | 22:38 | Ayele Abshero Ethiopia | 22:40 | Lucas Kimeli Rotich Kenya | 22:42 |
| 2009 (8 km) | Ayele Abshero Ethiopia | 23:26 | Titus Kipjumba Mbishei Kenya | 23:30 | Moses Kibet Uganda | 23:35 |
| 2010 (7.759 km) | Caleb Mwangangi Ndiku Kenya | 22:07 | Clement Kiprono Langat Kenya | 22:09 | Japhet Kipyegon Korir Kenya | 22:12 |
| 2011 (8 km) | Geoffrey Kipsang Kamworor Kenya | 22:21 | Thomas Ayeko Uganda | 22:27 | Patrick Mutunga Mwikya Kenya | 22:32 |
| 2013 (8 km) | Hagos Gebrhiwet Ethiopia | 21:04 | Leonard Barsoton Kenya | 21:08 | Muktar Edris Ethiopia | 21:13 |
| 2015 (8 km) | Yasin Haji Ethiopia | 23:42 | Geoffrey Kipkirui Korir Kenya | 23:47 | Alfred Ngeno Kenya | 23:54 |
| 2017 (7.858 km) | Jacob Kiplimo Uganda | 22:40 | Amdework Walelegn Ethiopia | 22:43 | Richard Yator Kenya | 22:52 |
| 2019 (8 km) | Milkesa Mengesha Ethiopia | 23:52 | Tadase Worku Ethiopia | 23:54 | Oscer Chelimo Uganda | 23:55 |
| 2023 (8 km) | Ishamel Kipkurui Kenya | 24:29 | Reynold Kipkorir Cheruiyot Kenya | 24:30 | Boki Diriba Ethiopia | 24:31 |

### Junior Men's Team Medals

| Year | Gold | Gold | Silver | Silver | Bronze | Bronze |
| 1973 | Spain | 18 | Italy | 22 | England | 24 |
| 1974 | United States | 22 | Morocco | 58 | Italy | 90 |
| 1975 | United States | 29 | Ireland | 35 | Spain | 44 |
| 1976 | United States | 16 | Spain | 60 | England | 91 |
| 1977 | United States | 36 | Spain | 40 | Canada | 67 |
| 1978 | England | 53 | Canada | 53 | Spain | 54 |
| 1979 | Spain | 57 | England | 74 | Soviet Union | 75 |
| 1980 | Soviet Union | 50 | United States | 75 | Spain | 79 |
| 1981 | United States | 23 | England | 61 | Canada | 66 |
| 1982 | Ethiopia | 12 | Italy | 37 | United States | 70 |
| 1983 | Ethiopia | 13 | Spain | 41 | England | 58 |
| 1984 | Ethiopia | 21 | Spain | 34 | England | 68 |
| 1985 | Ethiopia | 16 | Kenya | 26 | Spain | 64 |
| 1986 | Ethiopia | 13 | Kenya | 32 | Spain | 52 |
| 1987 | Ethiopia | 19 | Kenya | 20 | Japan | 73 |
| 1988 | Kenya | 12 | Ethiopia | 33 | Spain | 61 |
| 1989 | Kenya | 14 | Ethiopia | 22 | Italy | 76 |
| 1990 | Kenya | 12 | Ethiopia | 27 | Italy | 85 |
| 1991 | Kenya | 19 | Ethiopia | 26 | Tanzania | 54 |
| 1992 | Kenya | 18 | Ethiopia | 28 | Japan | 90 |
| 1993 | Kenya | 10 | Ethiopia | 27 | Morocco | 76 |
| 1994 | Kenya | 18 | Ethiopia | 27 | Morocco | 78 |
| 1995 | Kenya | 23 | Ethiopia | 25 | Morocco | 72 |
| 1996 | Kenya | 13 | Ethiopia | 26 | Morocco | 94 |
| 1997 | Kenya | 13 | Ethiopia | 31 | Morocco | 74 |
| 1998 | Ethiopia | 16 | Kenya | 20 | Morocco | 66 |
| 1999 | Kenya | 16 | Ethiopia | 24 | Tanzania | 77 |
| 2000 | Kenya | 10 | Ethiopia | 47 | Uganda | 68 |
| 2001 | Kenya | 24 | Ethiopia | 25 | Uganda | 68 |
| 2002 | Kenya | 18 | Ethiopia | 24 | Uganda | 37 |
| 2003 | Kenya | 15 | Ethiopia | 28 | Uganda | 48 |
| 2004 | Kenya | 20 | Ethiopia | 25 | Uganda | 33 |
| 2005 | Kenya | 10 | Ethiopia | 37 | Qatar | 75 |
| 2006 | Kenya | 16 | Ethiopia | 24 | Eritrea | 44 |
| 2007 | Kenya | 10 | Eritrea | 44 | Ethiopia | 54 |
| 2008 | Kenya | 21 | Ethiopia | 28 | Uganda | 37 |
| 2009 | Kenya | 20 | Ethiopia | 22 | Eritrea | 72 |
| 2010 | Kenya | 10 | Ethiopia | 32 | Uganda | 56 |
| 2011 | Kenya | 20 | Ethiopia | 24 | Uganda | 50 |
| 2013 | Ethiopia | 23 | Kenya | 26 | Morocco | 65 |
| 2015 | Kenya | 19 | Ethiopia | 33 | Eritrea | 52 |
| 2017 | Ethiopia | 17 | Kenya | 28 | Eritrea | 57 |
| 2019 | Ethiopia | 18 | Uganda | 32 | Kenya | 34 |
| 2023 | Kenya | 22 | Ethiopia | 23 | United States | 81 |

### Junior Women's Individual Medals

| Year | Gold | Gold | Silver | Silver | Bronze | Bronze |
| 1989 (4 km) | Malin Ewerlöf Sweden | 15:23 | Olga Nazarkina Soviet Union | 15:30 | Esther Saina Kenya | 15:41 |
| 1990 (4.4 km) | Liu Shixiang China | 14:19 | Yan Qinglan China | 14:20 | Susan Chepkemei Kenya | 14:22 |
| 1991 (4.435 km) | Lydia Cheromei Kenya | 13:59 | Jane Ekimat Kenya | 14:20 | Melody Fairchild United States | 14:28 |
| 1992 (4.005 km) | Paula Radcliffe United Kingdom | 13:30 | Wang Junxia China | 13:35 | Lydia Cheromei Kenya | 13:43 |
| 1993 (4.45 km) | Gladys Ondeyo Kenya | 14:04 | Pamela Chepchumba Kenya | 14:09 | Sally Barsosio Kenya | 14:11 |
| 1994 (4.3 km) | Sally Barsosio Kenya | 14:04 | Rose Cheruiyot Kenya | 14:05 | Elizabeth Cheptanui Kenya | 14:15 |
| 1995 (4.47 km) | Annemari Sandell Finland | 14:04 | Jebiwot Keitany Kenya | 14:09 | Nancy Kipron Kenya | 14:17 |
| 1996 (4.22 km) | Kutre Dulecha Ethiopia | 13:27 | Annemari Sandell Finland | 13:32 | Jepkorir Ayabei Kenya | 13:35 |
| 1997 (4.689 km) | Rose Kosgei Kenya | 14:58 | Prisca Ngetich Kenya | 14:59 | Ayelech Worku Ethiopia | 15:02 |
| 1998 (6 km) | Yimenashu Taye Ethiopia | 19:32 | Jeruto Kiptum Kenya | 19:34 | Worknesh Kidane Ethiopia | 19:34 |
| 1999 (6.124 km) | Worknesh Kidane Ethiopia | 21:26 | Vivian Cheruiyot Kenya | 21:37 | Yoshiko Fujinaga Japan | 21:41 |
| 2000 (6.29 km) | Vivian Cheruiyot Kenya | 20:34 | Alice Timbilil Kenya | 20:35 | Viola Kibiwott Kenya | 20:36 |
| 2001 (5.9 km) | Viola Kibiwott Kenya | 22:05 | Abebech Nigussie Ethiopia | 22:05 | Aster Bacha Ethiopia | 22:05 |
| 2002 (5.962 km) | Viola Kibiwot Kenya | 20:13 | Tirunesh Dibaba Ethiopia | 20:14 | Vivian Cheruiyot Kenya | 20:22 |
| 2003 (6.215) | Tirunesh Dibaba Ethiopia | 20:21 | Peninah Chepchumba Kenya | 20:22 | Gelete Burka Ethiopia | 20:28 |
| 2004 (6 km) | Meselech Melkamu Ethiopia | 20:48 | Aziza Aliyu Ethiopia | 20:53 | Mestawat Tadesse Ethiopia | 20:56 |
| 2005 (6.153 km) | Gelete Burka Ethiopia | 20:12 | Veronica Wanjiru Kenya | 20:39 | Beatrice Chebusit Kenya | 20:44 |
| 2006 (6 km) | Pauline Korikwiang Kenya | 19:27 | Veronica Wanjiru Kenya | 19:27 | Mercy Kosgei Kenya | 19:45 |
| 2007 (6 km) | Linet Chepkwemoi Barasa Kenya | 20:52 | Mercy Jelimo Kosgei Kenya | 20:59 | Veronica Nyaruai Wanjiru Kenya | 21:10 |
| 2008 (6.04 km) | Genzebe Dibaba Ethiopia | 19:59 | Irine Chepet Cheptai Kenya | 20:04 | Emebt Etea Ethiopia | 20:06 |
| 2009 (6 km) | Genzebe Dibaba Ethiopia | 20:14 | Mercy Cherono Kenya | 20:17 | Jackline Chepngeno Kenya | 20:27 |
| 2010 (5.833 km) | Mercy Cherono Kenya | 18:47 | Purity Cherotich Rionoripo Kenya | 18:54 | Esther Chemtai Kenya | 18:55 |
| 2011 (6 km) | Faith Kipyegon Kenya | 18:53 | Genet Yalew Ethiopia | 18:54 | Azemra Gebru Ethiopia | 18:54 |
| 2013 (6 km) | Faith Kipyegon Kenya | 17:51 | Agnes Jebet Tirop Kenya | 17:51 | Alemitu Heroye Ethiopia | 17:57 |
| 2015 (6 km) | Letesenbet Gidey Ethiopia | 19:48 | Dera Dida Ethiopia | 19:49 | Etagegn Woldu Ethiopia | 19:53 |
| 2017 (6,03 km) | Letesenbet Gidey Ethiopia | 18:34 | Hawi Feysa Ethiopia | 18:57 | Celliphine Chespol Kenya | 19:02 |
| 2019 (6 km) | Beatrice Chebet Kenya | 20:50 | Alemitu Tariku Ethiopia | 20:50 | Tsigie Gebreselama Ethiopia | 20:50 |
| 2023 (6 km) | Senayet Getachew Ethiopia | 20:53 | Medina Eisa Ethiopia | 21:00 | Pamela Kosgei Kenya | 21:01 |

### Junior Women's Team Medals

| Year | Gold | Gold | Silver | Silver | Bronze | Bronze |
| 1989 | Kenya | 40 | Soviet Union | 68 | Portugal | 84 |
| 1990 | Kenya | 20 | Japan | 44 | China | 68 |
| 1991 | Kenya | 18 | Ethiopia | 40 | Japan | 43 |
| 1992 | Ethiopia | 55 | Romania | 59 | Kenya | 59 |
| 1993 | Kenya | 10 | Japan | 41 | Ethiopia | 61 |
| 1994 | Kenya | 11 | Ethiopia | 46 | Japan | 60 |
| 1995 | Kenya | 18 | Ethiopia | 31 | Japan | 56 |
| 1996 | Kenya | 21 | Ethiopia | 26 | Japan | 70 |
| 1997 | Kenya | 15 | Japan | 38 | Ethiopia | 39 |
| 1998 | Ethiopia | 16 | Kenya | 20 | Japan | 66 |
| 1999 | Ethiopia | 20 | Kenya | 31 | Japan | 46 |
| 2000 | Kenya | 12 | Ethiopia | 24 | Japan | 78 |
| 2001 | Ethiopia | 16 | Kenya | 20 | Japan | 59 |
| 2002 | Kenya | 13 | Ethiopia | 24 | Japan | 63 |
| 2003 | Ethiopia | 14 | Kenya | 22 | Morocco | 78 |
| 2004 | Ethiopia | 10 | Kenya | 36 | Japan | 67 |
| 2005 | Kenya | 16 | Ethiopia | 22 | Japan | 56 |
| 2006 | Kenya | 10 | Ethiopia | 29 | Japan | 58 |
| 2007 | Kenya | 13 | Eritrea | 33 | Ethiopia | 36 |
| 2008 | Ethiopia | 16 | Kenya | 20 | Japan | 57 |
| 2009 | Ethiopia | 18 | Kenya | 18 | Japan | 76 |
| 2010 | Kenya | 10 | Ethiopia | 30 | Uganda | 81 |
| 2011 | Ethiopia | 17 | Kenya | 19 | Japan | 75 |
| 2013 | Kenya | 14 | Ethiopia | 23 | United Kingdom | 81 |
| 2015 | Ethiopia | 11 | Kenya | 33 | Bahrain | 52 |
| 2017 | Ethiopia | 19 | Kenya | 20 | Uganda | 62 |
| 2019 | Ethiopia | 17 | Kenya | 26 | Japan | 72 |
| 2023 | Ethiopia | 15 | Kenya | 22 | United States | 54 |

### Mixed Relay

| Year | Gold | Gold | Silver | Silver | Bronze | Bronze |
| 2019 | Ethiopia | 25:49 | Morocco | 26:22 | Kenya | 26:29 |
| 2023 | Kenya | 23:14 | Ethiopia | 23:21 | Australia | 23:26 |