Kaptagat, Kenya — Daily training, frugal living, communal chores: The Kaptagat camp focuses on self-discipline as Kenyan track and field stars Eliud Kipchoge and Faith Kipyegon prepare for the Paris Games. It is a well-known protected hideout.
This small complex in Kenya's Rift Valley, located at an altitude of 2,500 meters between forests and corn plantations, was created in 2002 by former runner-turned-coach Patrick Sang and Dutch athlete management organization Global Sports Communications. Established.
“The idea was to help young athletes develop their potential because here in Kenya, many do not have access to training facilities or coach support,” Sun said.
“This is a place where elite athletes coach their juniors, a place where athletes run a business, and a school for life.”
Its most famous resident is track and field legend Kipchoge, who has been training here since its inception.
“This is the most peaceful place ever. It's a good place to concentrate. We live a simple life,” the two-time Olympic marathon champion explained.
This is where the 39-year-old laid the foundations for great achievements, including world records and two Olympic titles in 2018 and 2022, and adding a historic third gold medal in August. I hope that.
Kipyegon, Kenya's 2019 middle-distance champion, is also aiming for an unprecedented hat-trick in the 1500m in Paris and has started attending the camp.
“This place has really changed my life and career,” said the 30-year-old, adding, “This is our second home. We train and live as a team. We are 100 percent focused on running.''
everyone contributes
But it's not always just about athletics.
All players will be in camp from Monday afternoon until Saturday morning.
During this time, they are expected to contribute to camp management by doing household chores such as cooking once a week, cleaning the TV room and toilets, and taking out the trash.
Far from the US's high-tech training ranges, the Kaptagat camp offers only basic home comforts.
For almost 15 years, athletes drew water from wells.
In recent years, water supply and solar panels have also been installed.
Some single rooms have been added to the double rooms. This is the only concession to elite status for certain runners in an institution that proudly wears its egalitarian credentials.
“There are no world champions or record holders in Kaptagat. We are all equal,” said Ravan Korir, a marathon runner who was appointed by his fellow camp presidents and coordinates the various committees that run the camp. Told.
Here, even world champions reveal their hidden talents. Residents told reporters that Kipyegon was preparing the best chapati (flatbread) in the camp.
strict regimen
Athletes train four days a week, away from their families, following a common program of running 16 to 20 km in the morning and 10 km in the evening. After that, he does “long runs” of 30-40 km every week, and twice a week he trains in the gym.
Admission to the camp is strictly restricted, but local runners train on surrounding roads in hopes of getting noticed and being scouted.
After training, athletes can get a massage or pick up a book from the camp library. You'll find a wide selection, from Barack Obama's The Promised Land to Billy Hayes' Midnight Express and Marcus Aurelius' Meditations to Marathon for Dummies.
There are very few distractions.
Phone use is prohibited in the dining room and during massages.
Instead, residents sit in their gardens, drinking sweet milk tea and chatting.
“We talk about the situation prevailing in our country, such as politics and football,” said Victor Chumo, who has been training in Kaptagat since 2019.
“We live like a family here. We are from different generations,” said long-distance runner Daniel Matejko, 25.
“We learn from our mentors, help each other, and train towards one goal: to achieve our dreams.”
AFP