The current world champions in the cross country will not compete during this years championship in Spain after they failed to make the cut for the team. For Mercy Cherono and Caleb Mwangangi the junior champions their graduation to senior ranks was disappointing while the senior champions' Joseph Ebuya and Emily Chebet failed to qualify. 24 athletes were selected to compete in Spain while 16 will head to the first African cross country championship in over 2 decades.