Chasing Goats | Iten

Kalenjin men helping each other carry a sack of maize up a hill.

Kenya, the birthplace of world-renowned running talent, boasts some of the fastest athletes on the planet. when we talk about Kenyan speed, we're really talking about the Kalenjin tribe. There are 42 tribes in Kenya to give some perspective which means most other Kenyans are not setting any records; they're just living their ordinary lives. And with the rise of fast food in Nairobi, some are even sizing up for bigger clothes. The Kalenjin tribe thrives in high altitudes, between 5000 to 8000+ feet, building incredible endurance and robust lungs. For them, exercise isn't a choice; it's as natural as breathing.

During one hike in Kenya, we encountered a young fella – maybe 13 years old- who casually mentioned that he runs up a mountain every day to school and back – some 4 miles or so, a feat that took us hours to ascend. Imagine that daily grind—running to school, chasing goats, and hauling sacks of ugali up and down mountains at an 8000-foot elevation. Suddenly, the Kalenjin success isn't so mysterious; everything they do from what they eat and their seemingly simple lives is optimized for success. In this crucible of life, champions like Kelvin Kiptum (may his soul rest in peace) emerge, running these bright orange gravel roads in borrowed shoes. But why Kenyans alone? That's a question that hints at my next adventure: running with the Colombians in Sesca, perched at 10,000 feet, come May.