October 21, 2019//-Winning in marathons and other professional running competitions require great skills and a lot of time for training.
Runners build their muscles and develop their bodies so that they can react and respond accordingly to what the route requires them to do.
They also expose themselves to the terrain, the climate, and the environment that they will be in during the whole competition so that they can fully adapt to the surroundings from start to finish.
If you have been to a competition or watched a race before, you know that the runners are doing their best to win. But have you noticed that most of the time, the medalists come from a particular group of people? They are the Kenyans.
The Kenyans are very good at running. It may not be a secret to most runners that they are always in the rankings when it comes to races. But what is their secret to running?
Kenyan Runner Records
Before we look at the secrets behind the long domination of Kenyan athletes in marathons, let us look back at the best times that have ever been recorded in the Olympics and other international competitions.
In an article published on the runner’s magazine Runner’s World, the writer has enumerated the best marathon times ever accomplished.
For Men:
- Eliud Kipchoge (2018, Berlin)- 2:01:39
- Dennis Kimetto (2014, Berlin)- 2:02:57
- Wilson Kipsang (2016, Berlin)- 2:03:13
- Emmanuel Mutai (2014, Berlin)- 2:03:13
For Women:
- Brigid Kosgei (2019, Chicago)- 2:14:04
- Mary Keitany (2017, London)- 2:17:01
- Ruth Chepngetich(2019, Dubai)- 2:17:08
- Gladys Cherono (2018, Berlin)- 2:18:11
- Vivian Cheruiyot (2018, London)- 2:18:31
- Catherine Ndereba (2001, Chicago)- 2:18:47
These are all based on record-eligible courses. You will see that these Kenyan runners have been at the top of the heap when it comes to winning marathons and other races.
It is Because of Their Environment
We mentioned a while ago that runners go to great lengths to adapt to the environment that the track has. This can be difficult for some if they are not used to harsh conditions wherein proper breathing and pacing are needed to maintain speed throughout the race.
Whereas runners try to cope up with difficult surroundings, Kenyans live on these kinds of terrains. According to the official website of the embassy of Kenya, the country has topography of extreme contrasts.
It has areas where the altitude is very high. The highest mountain in Kenya is actually the second tallest in Africa. It is also given the same name as the country, Mount Kenya. It has an altitude of 5,199 meters or 17,058 feet. Even most parts of central Kenya are, on the average, around 1500 meters above level.
They are also accustomed to extreme weather. Kenya has, ultimately, two seasons each year. The long rains start in March while the humid and hot weather begins in October.
They can run for miles without breaking a sweat even during high humidity and they can continue their race even while raining because, most of the time, their training involves rains as well.
It is Because of Their Lineage
In an article published on NPR.com, it is said that the majority of Kenyans who are joining different marathons around the world come from one tribe, the Kalenjin.
These tribes have been living in a high altitude environment all their lives. The people from this tribe also have a high-starch diet which helps build their body to have better storage for energy and stamina for running.
Although these explanations are somewhat relative in terms of explaining why the Kalenjin tribesmen are very good at running and winning marathons, it may be observed that the people from the same tribe are genetically built to be runners.
They have thin ankles and calves which make them very swift at moving. These also help them run for long distances without much change in pace and speed.
It is Because They can Endure so Much Pain
Much like any other tribes in Africa, the Kalenjin tribe has its own set of traditions and culture. One of the main parts of their transition to adulthood is enduring the burning of hot coals.
It is said that, at the age of fifteen years old, as a form of their rite of passage, the Kalenjin tribesmen are made to crawl almost naked to stinging needles.
Then, they are beaten on the ankle. What is more excruciating is the fact that they are not to make any sound or noise during the whole process.
Although running and this rite of passage are different from each other, they still show an endurance of pain on the part of the person.
The pain on the bodies being inflicted either by outside forces or by your internal capacity is felt by the runner.
Kenyans are trained to withstand this hurt and come out stronger after the circumstance. Since the Kalenjin body is trained to carry on with the pain, he can also bring the same mentality during races.
This is proven by Kip Keino, the winner of four Olympic medals. It was the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City when he joined six distance races.
Even though he was advised by the doctor not to race at all because of extreme abdominal pains, which were exponentially increased during heavy breathing, he still participated in the races.
Not only did he win the gold medals but he also set Olympic records in the 3,000-meter race which he clocked in at 7 minutes and 39.6 seconds and the 5,000-meter competition which he was timed at 13 minutes and 24.2 seconds.
Conclusion
Kenyans are so good at running because of the combination of their local running conditions, their genetics, their traditions, their culture, and their persistence to overcome obstacles and pain. It is quite admirable to see generations of men from the same country maintain their reputation as the best long-distance marathon runners of all time.
By Mike Zhang. familylifeshare.com
