Elgeyo Marakwet County is without a doubt an athlete powerhouse-producing world beaters in both track and road races.
Professional athletes from across the world throng Iten town each year to train with athletics crème de la crème in the high altitude area.
The County leadership on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, unveiled the World Heritage Plaque at the Town’s View Point arboretum in an event also attended by Athletics Kenya AK President Lt. Gen (Rtd) Jack Tuwei, NOCK President Paul Tergat among other dignitaries.
Governor Wisley Rotich said the unveiling of the IAAF World Heritage plaque affirmed Iten as one of the best destinations for athletes to train.
When was Iten named recipient of IAAF plaque?
Iten town and Bekoji in Ethiopia were named as recipients of the plaque by the IAAF president Sebastian Coe in 2019 for their enormous impact on the historical development of the sports of athletics in their countries and beyond.
The International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) awarded the town with a plaque recognising Iten as a World Athletics Heritage Landmark.
Because of its Elevation of about 2400 metres above sea level, it attracts many sports Champions due to the benefit of training at high altitude.
The high-altitude training centres host most elite and recreational runners from around the world.
St. Patrick’s High School is one of the notable learning institutions located in Iten. The school has, over the last 30 years, produced world-class long-distance athletes. Alumni include Ibrahim Hussein, winner of three Boston Marathons and one New York City Marathon; Peter Rono, a 1988 Olympic gold medalist at 1,500 meters; Wilson Boit Kipketer, a 1997 world champion and 2000 Olympic silver medalist in the 3,000-meter steeplechase; Matthew Birir, 1992 Olympic gold medalist at the 3,000-meter steeplechase; and David Rudisha, 2012 and 2016 Olympic gold medalist and world record holder at 800m.
The coach of these athletes, Brother Colm O’Connell of Ireland, came to Iten in 1976 expecting to stay just three months. He has lived in Iten ever since.
Which Kenyan athletes have homes in Iten?
Many athletes, including world champions Edna Kiplagat, Florence Kiplagat, Lornah Kiplagat, Linet Masai, and Mary Keitany have made homes in Iten.
Iten town hosts the high altitude training centre, HATC, founded in 1999 by Lornah Kiplagat and Pieter Langerhorst.
Other landmarks include the Kerio View Hotel founded in 1995 by Jean Paul Fourier. In 2012, the World Record holder in marathon (second fastest at that time) Wilson Kipsang, opened the Keeluu Resort: a lodging, conference and dining centre.
