The Valley of Champions

    The Rift Valley is a land of farms and ranches. It’s about the size of North Dakota. About 12 million people live there. That’s 0.16 percent of the world’s 7.7 billion people. So how do they make up nearly half the world’s best distance runners? 

    First of all, the Rift Valley is not your typical valley. It sits high in the mountains. Runners train at an altitude of 8,000 feet above sea level. At that height, the air contains less oxygen. Training with less oxygen can help a runner perform better at lower altitudes.

    Kenyans from the Rift Valley may also start with an advantage. Many kids are active from a young age. They work on family farms or ranches. They walk or run long distances to school. This helps them build endurance. 

    Research has also shown that people from the region tend to have long legs and thin calves. Both of these things help a runner burn less energy.

    The Rift Valley has many farms and ranches. It’s about the size of North Dakota. About 12 million people live there. That’s less than 1 percent of the world’s 7.7 billion people. So how do they make up nearly half the world’s best distance runners?

    First, the Rift Valley is not like most valleys. It sits high in the mountains. Runners train at a height of 8,000 feet above sea level. At that height, the air has less oxygen. Training with less oxygen can help make a runner strong.

    Also, many kids in the Rift Valley are very active. They work on family farms. They walk or run long distances to school. This makes them strong too.

    People from the area also tend to have long legs and thin calves. Both of these things help a runner burn less energy. That makes running easier. 

    The Rift Valley is a land of farms and  ranches. It’s about the size of North Dakota. About 12 million people live there. That’s 0.16 percent of the world’s 7.7 billion people. So how do they make up nearly half the world’s best distance runners?

    First of all, the Rift Valley isn’t your typical valley. It sits high in the mountains. Runners train at an altitude of 8,000 feet above sea level. At that height, the air contains less oxygen. Training with less oxygen can help a runner perform better at lower altitudes.

    Kenyans from the Rift Valley may also start with an advantage. Many kids are active from a young age. They work on family farms or ranches, and they walk or run long distances to school. This regular exercise helps them build endurance.

    Research also indicates that people from the region tend to have long legs and thin calves, both of which help a runner burn less energy.

    None of these reasons explains exactly why so many champion runners come from the Rift Valley. But as Kenyans win races, their success leads to more success. 

    Many kids in the Rift Valley grow up poor. Most of them know a runner who has traveled to races and come home with prize money. That’s enough to spark a dream. 

    Maybe someday these kids will stand in New York City’s Central Park—holding the Kenyan flag and a check for $100,000.

    None of this fully explains why so many great runners come from the Rift Valley. But success leads to more success.

    Many kids in the Rift Valley are poor. Most know someone who has won prize money in a race. That’s enough to spark a dream.

    One day, these kids might stand in New York City’s Central Park—holding the Kenyan flag and a check for $100,000.

    None of these reasons is enough to completely explain why the Rift Valley produces so many champion runners. But as Kenyans continue to win races around the world, their success leads to more success.

    Many children in the Rift Valley grow up poor, and most of them know a runner who has traveled to races and come home with prize money. That’s enough to spark a dream.

    Maybe someday these kids will stand in New York City’s Central Park—holding the Kenyan flag and a check for $100,000.