Running & Marathons

“Run with a Champion” Sample Itinerary:

Considerations when developing the itinerary should incorporate the following:

 
1. Arrival in Nairobi and transfer to high altitude training center
 
2. Dinner and overnight
 
3. Training is twice a day
 
4. Three days of recovery runs
 
5. Three days of hard work
 
6. One day of easy run
 
7. Two days of doing extensive exercises

Introduction

If there is one sport for which Kenya is well-known, it is running (long distance marathons). This medium-size country of about 50 million dominates the world in competitive running. Pick any long-distance race and you’ll often find that up to about 70 or 80 percent of its winners since the late 1980s have been from Kenya.

Lewa Safari Marathon

Travel agents with clients who are runners can suggest tying in the trip with the annual Lewa Safari Marathon in the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, a UNESCO World Heritage site that is also one of Kenya’s most densely populated wildlife areas. It is regarded by Runner’s World as one of the world’s top ten “must do” marathons where runners of all abilities take part. Widely considered one of the most beautiful races in the world, about 1,300 runners usually take part in the endurance test every June. The conservancy is located north of Mount Kenya, at an altitude of over 5,250 ft., which makes for a challenging race so runners must be in excellent shape; marshals ensure safety in the wildlife areas, and participants run on dirt tracks through the bush.

Why Participate

Participation in the Lewa Marathon also helps improve and protect the local community. Since beginning in the year 2000, the event has raised $6.1 million for clean water, medical equipment, and education. While many professional athletes take part, amateurs and running clubs are also welcome to join the challenge (a half-marathon is also available). Besides the Lewa Safari Marathon, other running events that champion a cause include the Annual Nairobi Marathon held in Nairobi in October every year and Maasai Mara Marathon in September every year.

The Professionals

Of course, a staggering number of Olympians and long-distance marathon runners hail from Kenyan highlands, in particular the small town of Iten in the beautiful Western Rift Valley. Runners world over can travel to Iten and stay at a training facility there, testing their strength and endurance while training with some of the best athletes in the world. Indeed, visitors who travel to Iten ahead of a major international competition are likely to find runners from across the globe training and have the opportunity to meet and mingle. In addition to miles of soft dirt trails to explore, expert training equipment and meals from professional chefs, runners can partake in seminars and specialized workouts, as well as visit local markets, workshops, and schools.

Travel agents with clients who are serious runners interested in joining training workshops or experiencing Kenyan training can recommend one of a number of different programs, though the largest and most well-known is the High Altitude Training Centre (HATC). Guests who book a stay here have access to a fully equipped gym and instructors who offer training sessions every week. There’s also a physiotherapy clinic and a running coach who caters to all levels of fitness and experience. When they’re not training, runners may wish to visit the nearby Rimoi National Reserve or the Kureswo Hot Springs.

Some of the top destinations for running in Kenya include:

 
1. Kaptagat
 
2. Iten
 
3. Kapsabet
 
4. Kericho
 
5. Nyahururu

10 tips for Marathon preparation by the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) Eliud Kipchoge:

 
1. Start training
 
2. Get a teammate to train with
 
3. Get physiotherapy
 
4. Record all the workouts
 
5. Always try to finish your workouts
 
6. Do flexibility exercises
 
7. Audit your workouts
 
8. Hydrate yourself
 
9. Walk your talk
 
10. Feel your body & Enjoy every training session

Fun facts about running a marathon:

 
1. It’s the only way to enjoy life
 
2. Marathon running is where freedom is in life
 
3. A lot of ideas come in during a marathon
 
4. Helps a lot in knowing how healthy you are
 
5. You get to understand life in a very different and divine way, since life is like a marathon
 
6. Running and finishing a marathon gives you satisfaction in life