In athletics, talent alone does not make a runner. Constant training and discipline is what makes the difference for most of the record-breaking Kenyan athletes including Eliud Kipchoge.
TeamKenya.co.ke takes a look at four training camps that have produced the most successful runners.
Iten Training Camp
Iten is the mother of all athletics camps in the world particularly due to its high altitude, affordable hotels, and availability of fresh farm and animal produce.
Also Read: Inside Iten: The Home of World's Greatest Athletes
The residents of Iten are also very welcoming, something which makes most international athletes, from China, United States, and most European nations camps train there.
Some of the amazing talents that have trained at this athletics factory included the current 800m world record holder David Rudisha, Asbel Kiprop, and multiple London marathon winner Mary Keitany.
The careers of former marathon world record holder Wilson Kipsang, Abel Kirui, Florence Kiplagat and Edna Kiplagat were also shaped in Iten.
Nyahururu Athletics Training Camp
Nyahururu is another athletic camp that has produced athletes who have achieved great milestones in their careers.
Runners like Nyantika Maiyoro and Kipchoge Keino used to pitch their camp in Nyahururu ahead of international races.
Charles Kamathi and the late Samwel Wanjiru, one of the greatest marathoners that Kenya has ever produced, also used to train in Nyahururu.
Kaptagat Training Camp
Similar to Iten, Kaptagat boasts numerous athletics training grounds that continue to produce brilliant athletes.
The serene environment, pollution-free air and high altitude terrain makes Kaptagat ideal for athletes to pitch their training camp.
Some of the successful athletes that Kaptagat training camps have produced include the reigning men’s marathon world record holder Eliud Kipchoge, Geoffrey Kamworor and former 3,000m steeplechase world champion Conseslus Kipruto.
Double Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon and 2022 London marathon winner Amos Kipruto are also based in Kaptagat.
Most of these runners are trained by none other than the legendary athletics coach Patrick Sang.
Ngong Training Camp
Although Ngong is hundreds of kilometres away from Kaptagat, most Kenyan athletes prefer training at the facility because of its mountainous terrain and proximity to the capital city Nairobi.
Some of the star Kenyan athletes that have emerged from Ngong training camp include 2-time world champion Hellen Obiri, Elijah Manangoi and multiple Diamond League winner Timothy Cheruiyot.
Ruth Chengetich, who missed the women’s marathon world record by a whisker at the 2022 Chicago Marathon also trains at Ngong.
Also Read: 5 Kenyan Athletes Who Remained in Top Shape After Giving Birth