Once upon a time, in a land not too far away... Cross-country running is a sport that involves racing over natural terrain, typically through fields, trails, forests, and sometimes even over hills and mountains. Runners navigate a marked course, following a route that often includes a combination of grass, dirt, mud, gravel, and sometimes even streams or water obstacles. Unlike track and field events that take place on a closed course or stadium, cross-country running embraces the challenges and beauty of the great outdoors. The sport originated in the early 19th century in England as a way to test endurance and stamina. It quickly gained popularity and spread to various parts of the world. Today, it is practised at the high school, college, and professional levels, with competitions ranging from local meets to national and international championships. In cross-country races, both individuals and teams of up to seven participants take part. In Ontario, high schools combine the scores of their top four runners, while in collegiate and international competition, the team score is determined by the top five runners. The distances covered can vary, with high school races typically spanning 4-6 kilometers (3.1 miles), collegiate and international races ranging from 6 to 12 kilometers (5 miles), and a standard 10 kilometers (6.2 miles). During the World Athletics Cross Country Championships from 1998 to 2006, two races were offered: a 4-kilometer short course and a 12-kilometer long course held on subsequent days. Kenenisa Bekele holds the record for the most successful runner in the history of the championships, securing six long course titles (12 km) and five short course titles (4 km). These races are highly regarded as the most competitive in the world, as each country fields up to seven athletes competing simultaneously, compared to the 2-3 athletes seen in other world athletics events.