East Africans who did not run to school

It really doesn't matter. Whether or not they ran, you can bet they got a lot more physical activity than their American and European coutnerparts. No Nintendo.

I spoke with Tergat at a running store in Chicago many years ago and he laughed at the assumption that Kenyans are so good because they run to school and back. He mentioned he lived right down the road from school.

Many top Kenyans only started running in their late teens or early twenties - particularly some of the marathon runners in the 2:06-2:08 range, and they never ran to school.

But they were poor Kenyans, eating low calorie diets, and that helps to run long and fast, as does the Kenyans' naturally relaxed running styles.

Ghost in Korea

In an Interview with Craig Mottram he mentioned he had asked the Kenyan's this questions and they laughed and told him they catch the bus like everyone else.

I think it depends where they lived. Not all of Kenya is out in the middle of nowhere. Some Kenyans I know (including Sally Kipyego) said they do walk and run a lot to get to where they need to go, especially if they live in the country. If Tergat lived close to his school, then maybe he didn't have to run there. Not all Kenyans run though. I met a guy from Kenya the other day who was actually kind of fat. I didn't think he was from Kenya until he told me. He said people ask if he runs and he laughs at them. He said he can't run much more than 200 meters without getting tired.

I would like to clarify that Kenyans especially the running tribe live in the highlands where they practice various farming...most common one is dairy farming. These people are not poor as Ghost suggested...they live in rich farming areas and mostly eat carbohydrates, milk/meat being the main source of protein. Poverty as been taken as main reason why they run fast which is very wrong! Those who have visited the expansive riftvalley in Kenya will agree that food is not a problem. This people are just gifted, eat good food and not junk or fast foods, prefer walking than riding a car in short distances and live in high altitudes. These factors combined with their psychological advantage they have over us make them world beaters!!

If they grew up in Nairobi, I doubt they ran to school

yeah, i've heard the mottram comment, but it's not specific. so far we have a bunch of generalizations, and a statement that sally kipyego did run a lot. but we haven't obtained any more names than a confirmation on tergat.

not that i'm criticizing the above posters, but it's just interesting that even in the information age it's only certain information that is easy to come by.

maybe i can get matt taylor to ask the kimbia athletes if they ran to school

i don't remember off the top of my head - is running to school discussed in the toby tanser book? i don't have my copy any more, maybe someone can look it up.

I have coached two Kenyan National XC champions, and neither ran to school.

See attached

http://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-51356.0.html

I grew up in Nairobi.... My parents drove me to school in the mornings!

If you think Africans (Kenyans) run to school, the reason they are so good at it then you are doomed. How come then doesn't a Egyptian,Chadian, Botwanian, Liberian, etc run? Not all Kenyans run. Not all Kenyans are poor as you think. Stop watching at the media and visit Kenya - you will be shocked! High school are boarding, then how come you are telling us they run to school? This is only to a few and by any means, if they choose to run and get in shape. There are alot of fat Kenyans in cities and rural (country side) if you do not know.

Wilson Kipketer and all the other greats Brother Colm coached at St. Patricks. It's a BORDING SCHOOL.

There was a time when they ran to school in Kenya, but that was some DECADES ago. People would be better off going to Marius Bakken's site and reading how hard those guys ran IN school at St. Patricks. That--how hard they work--seems to be the real secret.

You are right coach D. But note that it never was everyone there in Kenya. Notice, Kenya got independence in 1963 and that is when Schools started. Kenya has developed steadily and those long distance primary schools are no more. Alot of College athletes from Kenya here in the US had not compete more than four times in their high school. It is just speculations etc. If it is true that Kenyans run to school over ten miles, why then is it that those living in Mombasa, Moyale, Kisumu, Turkana, etc can not run? Assuming you know Kenya. The same case is for the Ethiopians, Ugandans, Moroccans and now Eritreans. There is a running tribe. Look at their names in all these countries. But there are a few exceptions to this rule.