In this small Kenyan town, running is not just a sport – it’s a way out, as men and women race towards a future free from poverty. In Iten, dreams are born and realised in far-flung metropolises such as New York, London, Boston, Paris, and Tokyo.
Located in Elgeyo Marakwet County, the high altitude town is about 35km from Eldoret city and lies on the Eldoret-Kabarnet road, on the edge of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, characterised by hilly terrain and breathtaking scenery.
Early history
The town began as a small settlement during the colonial period in Kenya, inhabited by the Keiyo community.
It is believed that in 1883, Scottish explorer Joseph Thomson passed through the region while exploring East Africa and marked a rock with the words ‘Hill Ten’ after climbing a series of hills. Over time, the locals began pronouncing the words as ‘Iten’ and the name eventually stuck.
After some time, Iten became internationally famous for producing long-distance runners. Training camps were later established, attracting athletes from around the world.
Why is Iten famous?
Iten is nicknamed the Home of Champions because hundreds of athletes train here every single year. The town has produced renowned athletes like David Rudisha and Mary Keitany, who have strong connections to the area.
World Athletics recognised Iten as a global heritage site for running because of its contribution to athletics. Iten has attracted many international runners who come to train in the high-altitude environment that helps athletes improve their endurance and oxygen efficiency.
The beautiful scenery of Iten has led to the nickname “The Balcony of Kenya”; this feature enhances its fame, as one can view the Kerio Valley, Kerio River, Tugen Hills, and Cherangani Hills from a distance.
Athletics training camps
Many famous Kenyan runners grew up running long distances and participating in various running events in the area. They took part in the high school athletics programmes in Iten, where local coaches identified their talents. The high-altitude environment of Iten boosted the athletes’ stamina, endurance, and speed.
One major training camp in Iten is the High Altitude Training Centre (HATC). This camp has helped young men and women sharpen their skills in athletics. The camp offers elite coaching, structured training, physiotherapy, and recovery sessions.
The camp also provides accommodation, making it convenient for long-term training stays. The facility is open to everyone, from professionals to recreational runners, and it offers support for long-distance and ultra-marathon runners.
Kenya Camp is another training facility in Iten, led by coach Hugo van den Broke. This facility provides personalised training, support for all running levels, and cultural activities.
Kata Running Camp and Kechei Centre are also well-known training hubs. The two camps welcome runners of all levels aiming to build disciplined and strong athletes like Eliud Kipchoge and David Rudisha.
The training camps attract athletes from around the world due to the high altitude advantage, proven history of success, structured training programmes, mental and psychological benefits, and networking opportunities.
The culture of running in Iten
In Iten, running is not just an activity but a daily lifestyle. Children develop from beginners to legends by running to school frequently, building stamina, endurance, discipline, and speed.
Moreover, training is part of community life, where every morning the roads and hills are filled with runners of all levels. Many households have fostered a culture in which running is normal by scheduling running sessions every day, especially during the cooler hours.
Elite runners like Eliud Kipchoge inspire the youth to become better runners. This encouragement motivates the youth in Iten to train in the morning, afternoon, and evening, making running an integral part of their lifestyle.
The hilly terrain, high altitude, and clean roads support running in Iten. The roads used by international champions are still frequented by local runners, sparking motivation.
The famous viewpoint in Iten overlooking the Kerio Valley and Cherangani Hills has attracted visitors from around the world who come for sports tourism.
Economic impact of running
As a lifestyle, running – shaped by the training programmes, beautiful scenery, and networking – has led to the growth of sports tourism not just for Iten but for the entire region of Elgeyo Marakwet.
Training camps have contributed to the emergence of international athletes. Elite runners have progressed thanks to the support provided by both local and larger training camps.
Athletes have played a major role in improving the local economy of Iten. The success of Eliud Kipchoge and Mary Keitany has led to the establishment of training facilities that attract tourists from Asia and Europe.
Additionally, sports tourism has spurred the development of local businesses in the town, where tourists spend money on hotels, food, transport, and local services. Farmers also benefit when the camps purchase vegetables, meat, and milk from them.
Global Athletics hub
Iten has fully developed into a global athletics hub, all thanks to the success of Kenya’s elite runners, who have elevated the town’s economy through sports tourism and growing business opportunities.
The Home of Champions, Iten, remains the beating heart of Kenyan athletics, where running meets passion, speed, resilience, and discipline. As running continues to be a lifestyle in Iten, international runners are born every day.
