If you’ve ever thought about Marathon training in Kenya, let me assure you: it’s not all about running effortlessly up mountains while being chased by a herd of friendly zebras. In reality, it’s more likely you’ll be chased by your own ambition, a group of impossibly fast local runners, and maybe a few chickens crossing the road for reasons still unknown. In this article, I’ll take you on a (sometimes breathless) journey through my favourite places for Marathon training in Kenya.
My favourite places for Marathon training in Kenya
I have been lucky to experience Marathon training in Kenya at many of the country’s great training destinations.
After almost twenty years of Marathon training in Kenya and running in all the top spots, I can definitely say there is nothing magical about any training ground that separates it from any other. But there are a few things to consider if you’re looking for the perfect spot for you.
Most of the training towns in Kenya aren’t planned. As long as a location meets a few requirements for athletes—high altitude, a place to stay, and training routes—it can become a hub for Marathon training in Kenya. When athletes consistently turn out in large numbers every morning to train there, the place automatically becomes a training destination.
Iten
Any discussion of Marathon training in Kenya has to start with Iten. It’s the preferred choice for many because of the large community of runners and range of accommodation choices. There are the low cost single rooms with outside pit latrines and shared bathrooms, guest houses that provide a bit more comfort, and comfortable choices like the Kerio View Hotel and Lornah’s High Altitude Training Centre for those who can afford them.
As this is an Olympic year, athletes from around the world are already flocking to Iten, like they did in 2012 before the London Olympics. So if you want to run with greats from around the world, it’s certainly the place to go.
But while Iten is the most famous as a training place for middle and long distance runners, there are other places across the Kenyan highlands with certain advantages over Iten, only they lack the array of accommodation.
Kapsabet and Nandi Hills
Chicago marathon champion, Dickson Chumba and New York City marathon champion, Stanley Biwott train in Kapsabet. Kapsabet and Nandi Hills seem to be one place because of their close proximity, making it a unique spot for Marathon training in Kenya. Most of the runs here take athletes through tea plantations, with steep hills to climb, and well-maintained rough roads, usually maintained by the tea factories for the convenience of farmers who supply them with fresh tea leaves.
Nandi Hills, with many hilly courses, are hardly affected by rainfall because of the soil types and natural drainage systems there.
There are many hotels in Kapsabet and Nandi Hills, including one owned by Wilfred Bungei, the 2008 Olympic Champion in the 800m, the Tortoise Hotel.
Kaptagat
Berlin and London marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge, 2:03 marathoner Emmanuel Mutai, and world cross country and half marathon champion Geoffrey Kamworor all train in Kaptagat—another premier location for Marathon training in Kenya.
The town is not as populated as most other destinations and most of the training routes here go through the Kaptagat forest, which offers the athletes a cool and fresh environment to run, especially during the easy evening runs. Many established sports management groups including Pace Sports Management, Global Sports Management, and Dr. Rosa and Associati have their camps in Kaptagat.
Places to stay in Kaptagat include the Naiberi River Campsite and Resort, the Kaptagat Hotel and the Elegarini Resort. There is also the option of renting a house in the nearby shopping centers, although it is not always easy to find vacant houses here.
Kapsait
During rainy days, it is almost impossible to train in Iten because the roads get so muddy and some established camps at times have to use vehicles to carry their athletes to other areas for training. In Kapsait, which is situated at a much higher altitude, rainy conditions do not affect training much, because of the soil types and the natural drainage systems there.
Being far away from the big towns, everything there, especially food stuff is much cheaper than in most other training destinations. There is the Kapsait Nike Athletics Training Camp which can offer everything you will need to stay there. Or, you may choose to rent a house near to the training camp and join the athletes every morning for training.
Kapseret
Situated between Eldoret and Mosoriot, Kapseret has flat and soft ground courses that are very ideal for track runners. Being only about 10km from either Eldoret or Mosoriot, the athletes training here have the option to go for their track workouts in either of the places.
Most athletes here live in their own homes or in rented houses and meet at some specific agreed locations for their runs.
Eldoret
Training in a group with strong athletes, more so if they are stronger than you, is very beneficial. Usually, the top long distance female athletes, like Mary Keitany and Vivian Cheruiyot, have male pace setters who accompany them in their long runs and speed workouts.
The training groups around Eldoret town are usually smaller and are found in different estates. There is a group for Elgon View Estate, Kapsoya Estate, Kimumu Estate, Junction Estate, Annex Estate and Kipkorgot Estate, among others. One can join a training group closer to where they live.
Mosoriot
Mosoriot is a small town situated between Kapsabet and Eldoret. The training routes around here go through hills and valleys and have resulted in producing some of the best marathon runners in the world that include Martin Lel, the London Marathon champion and Robert Cheruiyot, the multiple Boston Marathon champion.
Mosoriot Teachers College provides a good track for athletes to train on, and the track has catapulted athletes to the top of the world, including the late Jairus Birech and Conseslus Kipruto, the 3000m steeplechase runners who have both won IAAF Diamond League trophies.
There aren’t many great hotels here, but there are decent houses to rent and stay in, and you can join the training groups that meet every morning for a run.
In conclusion, Marathon training in Kenya offers a truly unique and inspiring experience for runners of all levels. From the high-altitude landscapes of Iten and Kaptagat to the lush tea plantations of Kapsabet and Nandi Hills, each destination provides its own blend of challenge, natural beauty, and camaraderie among athletes.
What truly sets Marathon training in Kenya apart is the incredible sense of community—whether you’re an elite athlete or an enthusiastic amateur, you’ll find yourself welcomed into groups that push and motivate each other to new heights. The environment, the people, and the culture of dedication create a perfect storm for personal and athletic growth. No matter where you choose to train, the lessons, friendships, and achievements you gain from Marathon training in Kenya will stay with you for a lifetime, shaping not just your running career, but your outlook on perseverance and success.