Iten, Kenya, famous for its high altitude of 2,400 meters, attracts elite and amateur runners, contributing to the town’s growing hospitality industry. Notable athletes, including world champions, train here, benefiting from the altitude’s advantages. Local figures have played a significant role in developing Iten into a premier training hub, supporting a diverse running community.
The small town of Iten, located approximately 350 kilometers northwest of Nairobi, Kenya, is renowned for its high altitude, which measures around 2,400 meters above sea level. This altitude has attracted both professional and amateur runners seeking to enhance their performance, resulting in a growing number of hotels and training facilities to accommodate visitors. As the sun rises, Iten’s paths teem with runners, many of whom are elite athletes preparing for competitions.
Among the visitors is Ryan Mex, a semi-professional runner from Malta who has brought several athletes to Iten for training purposes. This is his inaugural visit, and he expressed a desire to return with a larger group in the future, noting the town’s significant benefits for athletes. He remarked, “This is the best place in the world to come for a training camp.”
Iten is home to about 42,000 residents, primarily engaged in farming, and has hosted numerous world-class athletes including Olympic champions Eliud Kipchoge and David Rudisha. The town even houses a historical connection to British champion Mo Farah, who spent extensive training periods there. The area was designated as a World Athletics Heritage Landmark in 2019, reflecting its prestigious status as the “Home of Champions.”
Lornah Kiplagat, a three-time Olympian and the 2008 world half-marathon champion, emphasizes the high altitude as a crucial factor in enhancing athletic performance. She explained, “If you train at 2,400 meters, your lungs expand, your red blood cells increase, and so when you go to low altitude you feel like you are flying.”
Amanal Petros, a leading marathoner from Germany, favors Iten for its community of athletes. He stated, “In Iten, the home of champions, wherever you go you find a lot of athletes who can train with you.”
Jean Paul Fourier, who founded the Kerio View Hotel in 2002, initially started with few rooms and has expanded to accommodate 50 guests, including a fitness center. The hotel’s growth corresponds with the increase in the number of athletes visiting Iten, particularly during the main training season from April to September.
Brother Colm O’Connell, a pivotal figure in Iten’s development since 1976, reminisces about the town’s transformation from a small settlement to a global training hub. He cultivated talents at St. Patrick’s High School, where 25 of his students became world champions. The influx of international runners contributed to the town’s rapid development as a premier training location and fostered a culture accommodating runners of various goals and ambitions.
In summary, Iten, Kenya, has emerged as a premier destination for runners, attracting both elite and amateur athletes due to its high altitude and supportive training environment. With historical significance and a burgeoning infrastructure, Iten continues to produce world champions while providing a platform for athletes from around the globe to improve their performance. The collective efforts of local leaders and the community have cemented its status as the “Home of Champions.”
Original Source: learningenglish.voanews.com
