C&C runners Dan Collis and Libby Dillon were recently in Kenya partly working for a charity but after they had the chance to spend a week in Iten. “The home of Champions” where many Kenyan Olympic athletes are born and many more Olympians from around the world travel to train and learn from them.
Whilst training at 2400m of altitude on the dirt tracks of Iten, Dan who is also an Osteopath at Vantage Osteopathy in Sawston, who treats many C&C runners ended up treating Carlos Mayo a Spanish Olympic athlete and 59 minute half marathon guy.
The atmosphere and community of running in Iten is unmatched and the enthusiasm for running is infectious. Whilst it takes a while to get acclimatised to running at such an altitude and every tempo session/uphill (of which there are many) feels like you’re muscles are screaming for oxygen which they can not receive. The challenge of altitude running is far overpowered by the inspiring runners at all levels chasing their dreams as well as the promised benefits of altitude training once you return to sea level.
If anyone is considering a trip to Kenya to do some training, we would highly recommend it and are more than happy to share details and advice! Once you’re in Kenya life is very affordable and the hospitality is incredible.
