Why Iten remains unrivalled as the country’s athletics capital
United States-based athlete Betsy Saina during a training session in Iten, Elgeyo-Marakwet County on July 9, 2015. Iten’s picturesque hills and valleys makes it an ideal training ground for athletes. PHOTO | JARED NYATAYA |
What you need to know:
- The quiet town is a must-visit for tourists with a bias for athletics.
- During dry months, a cool breeze dulls the sun’s rays.
When steeplechase king Ezekiel Kemboi bagged his fourth crown at the ongoing World Athletics Championships in Beijing, China on Monday, the celebrations reverberated all the way to Iten, his home town
But Kemboi is not the only athletic jewel from this quiet town located in Kerio Valley.
It is also home to yet another world conqueror Vivian Cheruiyot who also brought the country to a standstill with a resounding victory in the 10,000 metres race, shortly before Kemboi took to the track.
Other world beaters in athletics, whose talent was incubated in this region are world marathon record holder Dennis Kimetto and long distance runners Edna Kiplagat and Florence Kiplagat.
Through the glory brought by its sons and daughters, Iten has effectively carved a niche for itself globally and become a must-visit town for every tourist with a bias for athletics.
Iten forms the athletics nerve centre of North Rift, where running is cherished and comes second to religion.
It has a number of hotels beautifully perched on the peak of the cliff overlooking Kerio Valley, which is a pathway for the elephants that roam Rimoi Conservancy.
As you take a sip of mursik -the sweet-sour milk - at the Kerio Valley View Hotel, the sight of the elephants whirling dust at Rimoi will tirelessly scream for your attention.
Even during the dry months of November to February, an unending cool breeze dulls the sun rays, sparing many the sunburn.
“Iten may be described as a small town. I personally think it is but big in a special way. Being the home of tourism, sports and the cool climate makes it stand above the rest of the country,” Elgeyo-Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos said recently while announcing plans to set up cable cars worth Sh1 billion which will be ferrying tourists across the Kerio Valley.
The hospitable Keiyo and Marakwet communities call Iten town their county capital. If you blend in and love their way of life, your last day here could earn you a beaded guard known locally as Sotet.
Spare time to sip a cup of tea sweetened with honey at Keelu Hotel and Resort as former world marathon record holder-turned-entrepreneur Wilson Kipsang offers you a few tips on how to run and write your way to the world athletics charts.
Do you know of a place that captures the beauty, warmth and the distilled essence of our country? Can you write crisply and take captivating pictures? Send your write-up and pictures to [email protected]
