The small Kenyan town of Iten, perched 8,000 feet above sea level, has earned global fame as a breeding ground for elite long-distance runners. Already, the town has produced legends like Eliud Kipchoge and Mo Farah, both of whom have won Olympic gold medals. Athletes from across the world, like Malta’s Ryan Mex, flock to Iten to train alongside their Kenyan counterparts, drawn by its high-altitude advantage. According to former world half marathon champion Lornah Kiplagat, training in Iten will help athletes become better. She claimed the town’s high altitude will expand athletes’ lung capacity and increase red blood cell production, thus allowing them to find running at lower altitudes less of a challenge.
Source: africanews