Iten

Iten sits on the lip of the Elgeyo escarpment at around 2,400 metres, and a sign over the road announces it as the Home of Champions, which is not marketing hyperbole: an extraordinary concentration of Olympic and world champion distance runners have trained here, drawn by the altitude, the soft dirt roads, the mild climate and the presence of each other. Mornings begin before dawn with groups of runners moving along the red roads in the half light, and visitors who run are generally welcome to join sessions with the many camps that take international athletes. The High Altitude Training Centre founded by Lornah Kiplagat is the best known. Beyond running, the escarpment edge gives enormous views into the Kerio valley, and paragliding launches from the rim.

The main sights

• Morning training groups - runners on the dirt roads before dawn.
• Training camps - facilities hosting Kenyan and international athletes.
• The escarpment edge - views down into the Kerio valley.
• Paragliding launches - flights off the rim in the dry season.

When to go

Year-round; the climate is mild at this altitude and training continues in all seasons. Camps fill before major championships. Mornings are the time to see the running, which starts around six.

What to expect

This is a working town, not a tourist destination: facilities are simple guesthouses and camps, and there is little to do beyond running, walking and the views. Visitors expecting to keep up with Kenyan groups should be realistic; the altitude alone is a serious adjustment. Roads in the area are rough.

Nearby

The Kerio valley falls away east; Eldoret is west.

Key facts