Cross country racing began in Britain, the first English Championship being staged in 1876 ... although all 32 runners went off course and the race was declared void!

International competition started in 1898 with a match between England and France, while in 1903 the International Championship was inaugurated. This has grown steadily over the years, particularly since 1973 when it came under the IAAF's jurisdiction and was renamed the World Cross Country Championships.

That special place where mudlark meets skylark to sing a sweet melody On a rough terrain

Cross country runners must be nature lovers with endurance and mental strength. They face the challenge of their rivals, tough courses and winter's harsh climate. Cross specialists are like the 4-wheel drive vehicles of athletics. They need power and grip to stay with the pack through mud, water, snow, over barriers and up hills. Cross country winners are the most natural of champions and usually lead a double life. Once winter is over they return to the track and roads to race again.

Superlatives
Most IAAF World titles (Men):
10 Kenenisa Bekele ETH 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 (short and long doubles each year) + one junior title (2001).
5 John Ngugi KEN 1986-89, 92
5 Paul Tergat KEN 1995-1999
Team: Kenya 19, 1986-2003, 2006

Most IAAF World titles (Women):
5 Grete Waitz NOR 1978-81, 83
Team: USSR 8, 1976-77, 80-82, 88-90

Youngest IAAF World champions: Kenenisa Bekele ETH 2002 (19) & Zola Budd GBR 1985 (18)
Oldest: Carlos Lopes POR 1985 (38) & Maricica Puica ROM 1984 (33)

Greatest ever exponent (men)
Kenenisa Bekele (ETH): His fifth double short and long course victory at the 2006 Championships in Fukuoka, Japan established him as the greatest ever male cross country runner to have graced the sport. He also won the Junior title and the senior short course silver medal in 2001.
 
Three other all-time greats (men) 
Gaston Roelants (BEL): Best known as a steeplechaser (1964 Olympic champion and first to break 8:30) and as a world record breaker for the one hour run, the Belgian was also a legendary cross country runner, winning what was then known as the International Championship four times.
John Ngugi (KEN): The first man to win five world cross country titles, four in succession from 1986 to 1989 and then again in 1992. He was also a fearsome track runner, front-running to victory in the 1988 Olympic 5000m.
Paul Tergat (KEN): Has a strong claim to being considered the greatest cross country runner of all as he won the world 12km title five consecutive years (1995-1999) before placing a close third in 2000. Holds world best for half marathon (59:06 in 2000) and a former world 10,000m record holder. 
 
Three all time greats (women) 
Doris Brown (USA): The women's International Cross Country Championship, forerunner of the IAAF World Championship, began in 1967 and Doris Brown was victorious for five years running from then to 1971, the year in which she set an unofficial world record for 3000m.
Grete Waitz (NOR): She beat John Ngugi and Paul Tergat to the distinction of claiming five world cross country titles although best known for her marathon exploits, which included the inaugural world title in 1983 and no fewer than nine wins in New York.
Derartu Tulu (ETH): After making history by becoming the first black African woman to win an Olympic title (10,000m in 1992) she made her mark in cross country by taking the world title in 1995 and 1997 and, in a stunning comeback to top form, again in 2000.