Competition
Competitions will take place in venues carefully selected to provide the best possible conditions for athletes and spectators alike. Each site reflects the host country’s commitment to university sport, offering high-quality facilities in a setting designed for international events.
Competition format
Discipline Overview
The FISU World University Championship Cross Country includes both individual and team competitions, following the official World Athletics regulations. The event takes place over two competition days.
- Day 1 – Individual Races:
- Men’s and Women’s Short Race – approximately 3 km
- Men’s and Women’s Long Race – approximately 10 km
- Day 2 – Mixed Relays:
- Short Mixed Relay – 4 laps (each athlete runs one lap, approx. 1.5–2 km)
- Long Mixed Relay – 10 laps (the first two athletes run 3 laps each, the last two run 2 laps each, approx. 4.5–6 km)
Categories and Classification
Medals are awarded in both individual and team categories.
- Individual classification: Top three male and female athletes in each race.
- Team classification: Based on the combined results of short and long races for each gender.
- Mixed Relays: Each team includes 2 men and 2 women (order: man–woman–man–woman).
- Country Challenge Trophy: Awarded to the best overall delegation combining all individual and relay results.
Delegations Composition
Each national delegation may include up to:
- 16 athletes (maximum 8 men and 8 women)
- Up to 4 athletes per individual race (men’s and women’s, short and long).
- Up to 2 mixed relay teams per delegation (each with 2 men and 2 women).
- 5 officials (including Head of Delegation, coaches, or medical staff).
Athletes competing in individual events may also take part in the mixed relays.
Venue
Cross Country Village – Campus La Folcara
Competition schedule
Friday, March 13th, 2026
• 17:00: Opening Ceremony at Teatro Manzoni, Cassino
• 20:00: Official Dinner, FISU Family and Heads of Delegation
Saturday, March 14th, 2026
• 8:30 AM Meeting point at Cross Country Village, Folcara Campus
• 9:00 AM Competition Opening Ceremony
• 10:00 AM Women’s Short Cross Country – 3 km (3 laps of 1 km)
• 10:30 AM Men’s Short Cross Country – 3 km (3 laps of 1 km)
• 10:50 AM Short Cross Country Award Ceremony
• 11:00 AM Women’s Long Cross Country – 10 km (2 laps of 1 km + 5 laps of 1.6 km)
• 12:00 PM Men’s Long Cross Country – 10 km (2 laps of 1 km + 5 laps of 1.6 km)
• 12:50 PM Long Cross Country Award Ceremony
• 3:30 PM Cultural Programme – Visit to the Roman Amphitheatre and Rocca Janula
Sunday, March 15th, 2026
9:00 AM Meeting point at Cross Country Village, Folcara Campus
• 10:00 AM Short Relay (2 men + 2 women) – 4 x 1 lap of 1.6 km
• 10:30 AM Short Relay Award Ceremony
• 10:45 AM Long Relay (2 men + 2 women) – 1 man + 1 woman: 2 x 3 laps of 1.6 km (total 4.8 km) + 1 man + 1 woman: 2 x 2 laps of 1.6 km (total 3.2 km)
• 11:30 AM Long Relay Award Ceremony
• 3:30 PM Cultural Programme – Visit to the Historiale and Montecassino Abbey
• 6:00 PM Closing Ceremony
• 8:00 PM Official Dinner, FISU Family, FederCUSI and Heads of Delegation
• 10:00 PM Final Party