Kenya's Iten: Home of athletic champions
- 9 years ago
The small town of Iten in Kenya is a long distance runner’s paradise. Dozens of champions have trained in the town, situated at an altitude of 2,600 metres. It has become the place to be for elite runners and the Mecca of sports tourism. Our reporters went to meet its athletes and coaches.
"Home of Champions” reads the unusual sign at the entrance to the quiet little town of Iten in Kenya's Rift Valley. Nestled at an altitude of 2,600 metres, Iten reminds the visitor of a little Switzerland in the middle of Africa. With its mild climate and pure air, it offers outstanding training conditions for athletes.
For the past 30 years, all of Kenya’s world champions have trained here, including some 30 gold medalists, from Wilson Kipketer and David Rudisha to numerous African champions and other world record-breakers, male and female.
As soon as dawn breaks, dozens of runners hit Iten’s red dirt tracks, some alone and some in groups, some wearing the latest expensive gear and some barefoot. There are both confirmed winners and promising youngsters, Kenyans and foreigners. All of them share the same dream: to win their way to glory.
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"Home of Champions” reads the unusual sign at the entrance to the quiet little town of Iten in Kenya's Rift Valley. Nestled at an altitude of 2,600 metres, Iten reminds the visitor of a little Switzerland in the middle of Africa. With its mild climate and pure air, it offers outstanding training conditions for athletes.
For the past 30 years, all of Kenya’s world champions have trained here, including some 30 gold medalists, from Wilson Kipketer and David Rudisha to numerous African champions and other world record-breakers, male and female.
As soon as dawn breaks, dozens of runners hit Iten’s red dirt tracks, some alone and some in groups, some wearing the latest expensive gear and some barefoot. There are both confirmed winners and promising youngsters, Kenyans and foreigners. All of them share the same dream: to win their way to glory.
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