This archive report was first published on 19 September 2019.
On September 15, 2019, Geoffrey Kamworor shattered the half marathon world record in the Copenhagen Marathon, crossing the finish line at 58:01, a 17-second improvement from Abraham Kiptum's previous best of 58:18 set a year earlier.
Kenyan athletes have dominated major marathons and competitions worldwide, with many training in the hills of Iten and at the NN Running Team base in Kaptagat. Adharanand Finn, inspired by their success, spent a year in Kenya to 'discover the secrets of the fastest people on earth.'
Written in first person, Finn's book, Running With The Kenyans, is an exhilarating read that follows his journey as he leaves his comfortable home in the UK to train with coaches and world champions in small villages and hillsides. He adopts a training regimen that includes eating ugali, drinking strong tea, and running long distances to improve his stride and overall fitness.
Finn's six-month research in Kenya provides valuable insights into the lives of these elite athletes, making his book a great read for foreigners who wonder how Kenyans consistently dominate marathons. With Eliud Kipchoge's INEOS 1:59 challenge set for October in Austria, this book is a timely and fascinating read.
