WICHITA – Wichita State is set to begin its 2026 cross country season with the 78^th Annual JK Gold Classic Saturday morning at Clapp Cross Country Course.
 
Races were moved up 30 minutes from the originally scheduled times, now beginning with the men's 6K race at 7:30 a.m., followed by the women's 5K race at 8:00 a.m. High school races start at 8:30 a.m.
 
Wichita State will race nine male and nine female cross country, as well as eight more multi-event women, who will compete as training for the upcoming track and field seasons.
 
Last year's JK Gold Classic men's champion, Elkana Kipruto, looks to defend his title after earning All-American recognition last season for the Shockers. For the Wichita State women, Jordyn Picolet is the top returning finisher, placing 20^th at last year's JK Gold Classic.
 
The Shocker men have won the last three-straight JK Gold Classic team titles, and the women are looking to win their first since 2023, the last time the teams swept the meet.
 
Four Shockers are set to make their Wichita State cross country debuts as senior transfer Nicholas Kipchirchir, junior transfer Dennis Rono, sophomore Vivien Kipkorir and freshman Irene Andujar Martinez will line up on the cross country course in a Shocker uniform for the first time on Saturday.
 
Sibonelo Khumalo of Colby CC holds the Clapp Cross Country Course men's 6K record with his winning time of 17:54.78 from 2024, and Tulsa's Chloe Hershenow holds the Clapp women's 5K record of 17:16.49, also winning the 2024 JK Gold Classic.