ITEN, Kenya (AP) – As the sun rises over the serene town of Iten, its dusty paths become alive with groups of runners, often accompanied by joyful children on their way to school. This unassuming town, situated approximately 2,400 meters (8,000 feet) above sea level, has gained international acclaim for producing some of the world's best long-distance runners, making it a prime destination for both elite and amateur athletes.
To accommodate the increasing influx of runners, a range of accommodations including hotels, lodges, and short-stay rentals have emerged around Iten, which is located 350 kilometers (217 miles) northwest of Nairobi. Ryan Mex, a semi-professional runner and coach from Malta, expressed his enthusiasm for the town’s training environment, stating, “I came to Kenya to feel this elite running community here. This is the best place in the world to come for a training camp.” This marks Mex's first visit, and he hopes to return with a larger group next time.
Iten is home to roughly 42,000 residents, predominantly subsistence farmers. Notably, it has housed numerous world champions, including the two-time Olympic gold medalists Eliud Kipchoge (marathon) and David Rudisha (800 meters). The town also served as a training base for British four-time Olympic champion Mo Farah. Declared a World Athletics Heritage Landmark in 2019, Iten proudly bills itself as the “Home of Champions.” Lornah Kiplagat, a Kenyan-born three-time Olympian representing the Netherlands, runs a training center in Iten, helping athletes elevate their performance.
Kiplagat elaborated on the benefits of high-altitude training, noting, “If you train at 2,400 meters, your lungs expand, your red blood cells increase, and when you go to low altitude you feel like you are flying.” One of her trainees, Amanal Petros, a noted marathoner from Germany, spends six months annually at Kiplagat's center. Petros, originally from the Eritrean highlands, emphasizes that Iten’s appeal is not solely in its elevation but also in its community of athletes, stating, “In Iten, the home of champions, wherever you go you find a lot of athletes who can train with you.”
Jean Paul Fourier opened the Kerio View Hotel in 2002 with just a few rooms, but it has since expanded to accommodate 50 guests and includes a fitness center. Fourier noted the growth of his business alongside the surge of interest in the area, stating, “We see many foreigners flocking to not only my hotel but also neighboring hotels.” The peak season for the town's tourism typically runs from April to September.
Brother Colm O’Connell, who served as headmaster at St. Patrick’s High School, recalls Iten’s transformation. O’Connell first arrived in Iten in 1976, describing it as “just a scattering of houses and a school called St. Patrick’s.” He attributes the town's evolution to the sport's professionalization, which allowed athletes to pursue full-time careers. Since then, O'Connell has impacted the athletics program at St. Patrick's, where 25 of his students have become world champions, and many have returned to establish their own training camps.
The burgeoning athletic environment in Iten has attracted around 500 visiting runners during peak seasons. O’Connell noted the diverse motivations behind running, stating, “We see fun runners, we have runners with personal goals, we have people running a marathon to fundraise. In other words, running is a sport for everybody, and it has something to offer everybody.” The story of Iten exemplifies the remarkable intersection of local culture and international sporting excellence, solidifying its status as a hub for distance running.
