Iten, Kenya

Iten sits at roughly 2,400 metres above sea level on the western edge of Kenya’s Great Rift Valley, just outside Eldoret. Known globally as the “Home of Champions,” the town has produced more elite distance runners per capita than anywhere else on earth.

What makes Iten special is the combination of altitude (ideal for stimulating red-blood-cell adaptation), soft red-dirt roads (gentle on joints), a mild equatorial climate (training is comfortable year-round), and the sheer density of world-class training groups. International marathoners regularly base themselves here for 6–12 week training blocks before their major races.

Through Train in Kenya, athletes can connect with Iten-based coaches, secure accommodation, and join structured training programs covering middle distance, marathon, and trail running.