Iten, Kenya. The Home of Champions.

Where is Iten?

Iten became a running town through St Patrick's High School, where the Irish missionary Brother Colm O'Connell coached generations of champions, among them 800 m world record holder David Rudisha. Today thousands of athletes live and train there, from teenagers chasing a scholarship to Olympic medallists, and amateurs from all over the world come to run with them.

How to get to Iten

1. Fly to Nairobi (NBO), the main international airport.
2. Fly on to Eldoret (EDL). Jambojet and Kenya Airways fly daily, about an hour.
3. Drive up to Iten, about an hour. Camps include this transfer.

Most nationalities, including UK, EU and US travellers, need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before flying, around US$32.50, valid for travel within 90 days of issue. Your passport must be valid for six months after arrival. Check the official eTA site for current rules.

When is the best time to go to Iten?

Months	What to expect
December to March	Dry and warm. The most popular camp window, ideal for a spring marathon.
April to May	The long rains, usually in the afternoons. Mornings are often still clear.
June to August	Cooler, sometimes grey. Good for a summer block before autumn races.
September to November	Mixed, with the short rains around November.

Day temperatures sit around 15 to 25°C all year, and mornings can be cool, so bring a layer. The sun is strong on the equator even when it does not feel hot.

Running in Iten: the places

• Kamariny Stadium. The famous dirt track, busy with interval groups on Tuesday mornings.
• The red dirt roads. Miles of rolling, soft roads out of town, perfect for easy runs and long runs. Moiben Road is a classic long run route.
• The Kerio Valley. The escarpment drops away from the edge of town. Steep hill runs and stunning views.
• The High Altitude Training Centre (HATC). Founded by four-time world champion Lornah Kiplagat, home to most international camps, with a gym, pool and track access.

How to train in Iten as an amateur

Go slower than you think for the first days. At 2,400 metres your heart rate is higher for the same pace, so run by effort and heart rate, not your sea-level paces. Do not jump into an elite group uninvited: run with a guide or a camp group, and join the big sessions at your level. The weekly rhythm is in how Kenyan runners train, and the altitude side in altitude training for runners.

Practical tips

• Money: Kenyan shilling (KES). ATMs at the airports and in Iten, cash preferred in local shops.
• Phone: buy a local SIM at Nairobi airport. Wi-Fi at training centres can be patchy.
• Plugs: UK-style three-pin (type G).
• Health: see a travel clinic weeks before, vaccines take time. Malaria risk is very low in Iten itself but higher elsewhere in Kenya. Travel and medical insurance is a must.
• Pack: our Kenya running camp packing list has it all.

The easiest way to go for the first time is a coached camp. See running camps in Kenya for dates and costs.

Sources: traininkenya.com (location, FAQ, 8 November 2026); lornah.com (HATC); Outside and Women's Running reporting from Iten. Run Mastery is a running coach, not a travel agent or a medical service. Check entry and health rules with official sources before you travel.