The World University Cross Country Championships is an international biennial cross country running competition for student athletes, organised by the International University Sports Federation (FISU).
[1] Over the history of the event, 64 countries have competed but only three (France, Great Britain and Spain) have been present at all editions of the championships.
[3] The programme of each championship consists of one men's and one women's race, with prizes being available for individuals and national teams.
Algiers became the first African nation to host the event in 2006 and Kingston, Ontario brought it to North America for the first time in 2010.
Although the competition is limited to athletes studying at university level, the championships has nevertheless attract top level competitors, including: World Championship medallists Steve Moneghetti and Mariem Alaoui Selsouli, as well as World Cross Country team medallists Antonio Serrano and Iulia Olteanu.