MARATHONS & AFRICANS

Why do Kenyans dominate marathons?

Paul Tergat set the marathon world record in Berlin in 2003. It was set at 2:04:55

The New York City marathon takes place in America on Sunday 6 November. Amongst the favourites to win the race are two Kenyans, Paul Tergat and Martin Lel. Tergat is the world record holder for the distance while Lel, who won in London this April, also triumphed in New York in 2003.

Yet Kenyan successes are not just restricted to the world's major cities but to marathons all over the planet. This year alone, Kenyans have won at least 30 marathons as far afield as Mumbai, Beijing, Nagano, Toronto, Chicago and many European cities. In fact, 35 of the globe's top 50 road runners are Kenyan according to rankings by athletics' governing body, the IAAF.