Dreams on the track: Inside training camps nurturing Kenya’s future female champions
An archway over a road welcomes visitors to Iten, known as the "Home of Champions" in Elgeyo Marakwet County on October 8, 2025.
What you need to know:
- At Iten’s high-altitude camps, female runners endure intense challenges—injuries, poverty, and limited resources—but their determination remains unbroken. Supported by training centres like Kiprun 42 House, they continue to chase global glory.
- For many of these women athletes, running is more than a sport—it’s a lifeline. From humble beginnings, they train relentlessly to overcome hardship, achieve success, and uplift their families from poverty.
At the Iten Athletics Training Camp, Gladys Chemutai rests after her morning run. Though slightly exhausted, the 29-year-old marathoner welcomes us warmly. She is among hundreds of female athletes training in Iten—a town famously known as the Home of Champions and home to more than 6,000 runners from around the world.
When our interview begins, the firstborn in a family of seven speaks passionately about her love for athletics, a journey that began during her primary school days.
Marathoner Gladys Chemutai Kosgei shares insights during the interview at the Iten Athletics Training Camp in Elgeyo Marakwet County on October 6, 2025.
However, the path to becoming an international champion has not been smooth. Coming from a humble background, Gladys admits that the struggle has been real. She is currently nursing an injury that has kept her away from several races.
Gladys has competed in numerous local and international events, including the 2024 Standard Chartered Marathon, and boasts wins at the 2023 Leiden Marathon in the Netherlands and the 2022 Linz Marathon in Austria. But she laments that injuries are a major stumbling block.
“Having injuries is a major setback for me as an athlete, as it means I cannot participate in any race. As a firstborn, I support my siblings with school fees because my parents cannot afford; failing to participate in a race puts that in jeopardy,” says Gladys.
She adds that financial challenges continue to weigh heavily on many athletes, especially women. “As an athlete, there are a lot of expenses, many of which one cannot afford. They need good shoes for training and a good diet, which many of the athletes cannot afford.”
Gladys considers herself fortunate to be hosted at the Iten Athletics Training Camp, where her accommodation, coaching, and basic training essentials are provided. With renewed hope, she dreams of breaking world records and transforming her family’s life.
“It is my dream that I will in future be able to buy a piece of land and put up a house for myself and my family. I also want to, one day, uplift my family from poverty.”
She proposes the creation of a support forum for athletes—particularly women—to help them overcome common challenges.
Richard Kanda, an athletics coach, with athletes after a morning run in Iten Athletics Training camp, Elgeyo Marakwet County, on October 6, 2025.
The story is similar for Gladys Jerop, a 23-year-old 10,000-metre road racer who also discovered her passion for running during her school years. “Running has always meant a lot to me. It has been my passion and makes me happy so much,” she says.
Before joining the Kiprun 42 House Training Camp, Jerop faced immense difficulties sustaining her career.
“Getting money for rent and to buy food was hard. I could not afford the cost of massage, which is high. In short, I could not afford the cost of proper training facilities, including shoes,” she says.
She is now grateful to the management of Kiprun 42 House for providing full support—accommodation, physiotherapy, gym access, and training gear.
“The sky is now the limit for me. I believe that through athletics, I will have a bright future. I will help my parents build a house and live a comfortable life.”
Iten’s reputation as a high-altitude training hub continues to draw elite middle- and long-distance runners from across the globe. Here, dreams are nurtured, and champions are made.
As our conversation wraps up, it is clear that both Gladyses are determined to become international champions, not only to earn a living but to uplift their families and inspire others.
Coach Byron Kipchumba of the Kiprun 42 House Training Camp acknowledges the immense potential among women athletes but insists that more support is crucial.
“Parents need to take responsibility for their children, more so the young female athletes because if a man takes care of her, then he may end up taking advantage of her,” says Dr Kipchumba.
