At 2,000 meters above sea level, the conditions here are perfect for running, and therefore also for running a marathon. The champions who repeatedly cross the finish line first worldwide have trained here. Runners from all over the world come to the primitive running tracks, hoping to master the Kenyan stride.
A touch of Flemish speed
Jean Paul, a Flemish contractor and part-time running manager, arrived in Kenya 20 years ago. The accommodations were far from impressive, but with all the international athletes around, he saw a demand for Western standards. The small sports lodge, called the Kerio View hotel, which feels like a ski resort, is one of the few hotels in Kenya that is often fully booked.
Ten years ago, it was discovered that the thermals in the Kerio Valley during January are perfect for paragliding. Jean Paul calls it a "small miracle." A small miracle for his wallet, indeed. He’s been fortunate. He’s managed to create a great hotel with a welcoming atmosphere. Every two months, he travels back and forth to ensure things are running smoothly. Even with a great manager, it’s still challenging to manage from a distance. You have to stay on top of things.
Kalenjins
Kenyan runners glide past with great strides and effortless grace, much like gazelles. It’s no surprise, as the five men I speak with are all
Kalenjin, a tribe from the Kenyan part of the Great Rift Valley. Running is in their blood. According to one of the men, the reason for their superior running ability is that their distant ancestors weren’t cattle herders, but hunters. Hunters who, without bows and arrows, had to chase down their prey with sheer endurance. They would run after the animals for hours, until the prey collapsed from exhaustion. Then, with a quick strike to the throat, the meat would be theirs, and into the pot it went—enjoy your meal!
Kip Keino
In 2000, a study was conducted on the runners, which sparked quite a debate. The discussion mainly revolved around the fact that East Africans were dominating a sport that had long been a point of pride for Western countries. "In this world, there’s nothing unless you work hard to get there, so I think running is mental," said the Kenyan Kip Keino, who had previously won Olympic gold. He dismissed the study as racist. And rightfully so: the researchers had written about "black speed genes" and wondered whether Kenyans had an unfair advantage when it came to running marathons.
Good Athletes
You can read more about this issue in this piece from
The Atlantic, which argues that Kenyans who win marathons are simply great athletes. "Larry Bird and Michael Jordan are tall, but that doesn't mean they're just extremely good athletes," the author of the article states. "The genetically determined, atypical chest shape of Michael Phelps allows him to swim a little faster, but you can't train for longer arms." However, it is also acknowledged that the Kalenjin may be faster runners due to their genes. The colonial history and the physical exploitation of Black people make the discussion more complicated, but that does not diminish their athletic achievements.