Going for gold in the long run

Kenyan runner attends training sessions to make preparations for Chengdu Universiade

With an average altitude of 2,400 meters, Iten sits in the west of Kenya, near the Great Rift Valley of East Africa. Known as an ideal location for training in long-distance running, it is the cradle of many world-class middle and long-distance runners. In Iten, athletes of different camps, age groups and genders train together and inspire each other with their performance.

Kelvin Kimtai Chepsigor, 22, a student athlete from Kisii University training in Iten, was born in Kitale, a small town in the northwest of Iten.

"Eliud Kipchoge is my idol, and his experience inspires me to train hard day in and day out," he said, referring to the top marathoner. Since enrolling in university in 2019, the student has trained for years and won medals in many competitions in Africa. In the East African University Games held in Uganda in December, he topped the 5,000 meters race and was placed third in the 10,000 meters event.

"I'll compete in the 10,000 meters and half marathon for the upcoming 31st FISU Summer World University Games in Chengdu and many other athletes from Iten will join the squad," said the captain of Kenya's university track and field team for the universiade in the capital of Southwest China's Sichuan province.

"Racing in China will be a special experience and I've learned that China is a country with a rich history. Hopefully, I'll get a chance to explore it," he said.

Xinhua

WANG GUANSEN/XINHUA

Kenyan runner Kelvin Kimtai Chepsigor (in yellow) from Kisii University attends a training session in Eldoret, Kenya, on June 6.

WANG GUANSEN/XINHUA

Clockwise from top: Kenyan runners train on June 5 in Iten, Kenya, for the upcoming 31st FISU Summer World University Games in Chengdu, Sichuan province. Kenyan runner Kelvin Kimtai Chepsigor (right) sits in the open at Kisii University in Kisii, Kenya, on June 6. Kenyan runner Kelvin Kimtai Chepsigor (front row, second from left) takes notes in class at Kisii University in Kisii, Kenya, on June 6.

WANG GUANSEN/XINHUA

An aerial photo shows Kenyan runners in an early morning training session at a local training camp in Iten, Kenya, on June 5.