Recent KATA News
Kenya’s Rising Stars Deliver a Perfect Sweep in the U20 Men’s 8KM Cross Country
Kenya once again reminded the world why it remains the spiritual home of distance running, producing a breathtaking clean sweep in the U20 Men’s 8-kilometer cross country race. On a demanding course that tested strength, patience, and courage, Kenyan athletes locked out the entire podium—gold, silver, and bronze—in a display of youthful brilliance and collective dominance.
The Day the Road Made Room for Mercy
The road to the finish line is usually unforgiving. It rewards strength, speed, and those willing to endure just a little more pain than everyone else. But on a warm May morning in 2019, at the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race in Nigeria, the road offered a different lesson.
Mud, Miles, and Medals: Why Geoffrey Kamworor Is the Man of All Surfaces
Few athletes in modern distance running embody versatility like Geoffrey Kamworor. In a sport often defined by specialization, the Kenyan great has carved out a rare identity—earning the nickname “Man of All Surfaces” through sustained excellence on the track, the roads, and the unforgiving cross-country courses of the world.
From the Hills of Keiyo to the World’s Clock — A Journey Etched in Endurance
Long before his name was stitched onto race bibs and printed in record books, Wilson Kipsang learned to run on earth that burned his feet. In Kenya’s Keiyo highlands, mornings began with urgency. A young boy sprinted to school barefoot, not chasing ambition but trying to arrive on time. Footwear was rare, comfort rarer still. Every step across dust and stones quietly hardened him for a future no one had promised.
11 Days to the World Cross Country Championships USA
With the clock ticking down to 11 days, the World Cross Country Championships return to the global spotlight in the United States—a stage where reputations are built not by comfort, but by confrontation with chaos. Cross country is running in its purest, most unforgiving form: uneven terrain, shifting pace, tactical surges, and the constant demand for both physical resilience and intellectual control.
Same Marathon. Different Battles. Equal Triumphs.
The 2023 Honolulu Marathon delivered a moment that perfectly captures what running—and life—is truly about.
The Finish Line That Waited Fifty-Five Years
In 1912, he disappeared during an Olympic marathon in Sweden. 55 years later, they invited him back to finally cross the finish line he never reached.
Edna Kiplagat Shines with a Strong Second Place at the Abu Dhabi Marathon
Abu Dhabi, UAE — Kenyan running legend Edna Kiplagat delivered a masterful performance at the 2025 Abu Dhabi Marathon on Saturday, finishing second in a competitive women’s elite field.
Edwin Soi’s Second Act: Veteran Track Star Turns Mentor While Leading Kenyan Charge at the Borobudur Marathon
In the tranquil dawn surrounding Indonesia’s ancient Borobudur Temple, Kenya’s Edwin Soi—once one of the world’s deadliest final-lap specialists—returned to the global stage with a performance defined by grit, maturity, and renewed purpose. His 2:20:21 fourth-place finish may have placed him just outside the podium, but it became one of the most compelling stories of this year’s Borobudur Marathon.
KATA Time Trial 50 Marks Milestone with Strong Performances in Thika
THIKA, Kenya — November 12, 2025 — The 50th edition of the KATA Time Trial was held today at the Kenyan Athletics Training Academy (KATA) in Thika, marking a major milestone for the event that continues to nurture and test athletes under challenging conditions. Despite the warm, humid air and gusty winds, runners delivered impressive performances across both the 5km and 10km distances.
Running on Purpose — How KATA Is Cultivating Champions on the Track and in the Fields
In the heart of Kenya’s highlands, where rolling hills meet red soil and cool morning mists whisper of determination, the Kenyan Athletics Training Academy (KATA) is redefining what it means to build champions. Known worldwide for nurturing distance-running talent and sprints, KATA has gone beyond the track — merging the spirit of sport with the resilience of agriculture. Through its expanding network of running camps and its innovative KATA Potato Farms across Kenya, KATA is creating not just faster athletes, but stronger communities and a sustainable model for future generations.
The Long Run Continues: Eliud Kipchoge`s Journey from Records to Purpose.
The Kenyan marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge, widely acknowledged as one of the greatest ever in distance running, reached a major inflection point at the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon. This race marked not just another entry on his storied resume, but the closing of one chapter and the beginning of another.
Benson Kipruto Wins a Thrilling 2025 New York City Marathon as Kipchoge and Bekele Fade
The streets of New York witnessed one of the most dramatic finishes in recent marathon history as Benson Kipruto of Kenya edged compatriot Alexander Mutiso by fractions of a second to win the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon. Both men were clocked at 2:08:09, with Kipruto leaning ahead in the final meters of Central Park to claim the title.
Lucy Muritu: The Mother, Farmer, Coach, and Athlete Nurturing Nyandarua’s Next Generation
In the cool highlands of Nyandarua County, about 180 kilometers northwest of Nairobi, Lucy Muritu has built a life that seamlessly blends her passions for running, farming, and mentoring. Once based at the KATA Training Center in Thika, the seasoned road-running athlete has transformed her personal athletic journey into one of leadership, hard work, and community empowerment.
KATA Kerenget Runners Excel in 10K Time Trial Despite Challenging Weather
Athletes at the KATA Kerenget Running Camp (ID K03), operated by Sammy Dismas, showcased their determination and talent during a 10K time trial held today under tough weather conditions. Despite the challenge, the event was a success, demonstrating the resilience and dedication that define the KATA spirit.
Still Racing Strong, Olympic Medalist Edwin Soi Leads by Example at KATA — Growing Potatoes, Training Hard, and Competing for the Half-Million Shilling Farmer Bonus
Edwin Soi is a 5000m Olympic medalist and still running well photo of him running 27:30 just a few months back at altitude). He is also one of the KATA Running Camp operators and has three acres of KATA potatoes. He posted this after we announced our new contest for our KATA farmers.
KATA Launches Half-Million Bonus for Top Potato Farmers
Expanding its spirit of competition from the track to the fields, KATA rewards excellence in both running and farming.
From Charcoal Seller to Champion Coach: The Remarkable Journey of Philemon Kiptoo in Kapcherop
In the cool highlands of Kapcherop, where morning mist drapes over rolling potato farms and runners trace winding red-dirt trails, coach Philemon Kiptoo is living out a dream that once seemed far beyond his reach.
KATA’s Donald Kimaru Finishes 4th at 2025 Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon
The 2025 Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon delivered a thrilling showcase of endurance on October 26, as top athletes battled it out on the streets of Nairobi under ideal racing conditions. This year’s event, one of the premier marathons on the African continent, once again attracted a deep field of elite talent.
Personal Bests Shine at KATA Time Trial #49 in Thika
October 15, 2025 | KATA Running Retreat, Thika
KATA Time Trials Expand Nationwide as 30 Running Camps Prepare for October 15 Event
For years, the Kenya Athletics Training Academy (KATA) in Thika has been the nerve center of monthly time trials — small but highly competitive races that have helped shape Kenya’s next generation of distance-running talent.
Building the Future: KATA’s Vision to Become the Powerhouse of Athletics in Kenya
KATA founder Bob Anderson has a bold vision — one that unites athletes, coaches, and farmers under a single purpose: to make KATA the powerhouse of athletics in Kenya and a model for the world.
Building Champions, One Race and One Harvest at a Time: The KATA Story
With 31 training camps across Kenya’s altitude zones and 65 thriving potato farms, the Kenya Athletics Training Academy (KATA) is shaping not only resilient athletes but also sustainable livelihoods. Each KATA camp is not just a training base but also cultivates several acres of KATA potatoes, linking athletics directly with farming and ensuring that athletes’ futures are rooted in more than competition alone.
The fifth annual KATA Double Road Race in the making
The small town of Thika is alive with excitement today. Athletes, coaches, families, and even farmers have gathered at the Kenya Athletics Training Academy (KATA) grounds for the 5th edition of the Double Road Race—a unique competition that, in just five years, has become a symbol of innovation in Kenya’s running culture.
Edwin Soi and Betty Chesang Shine at 5th Annual KATA Double Road Race in Thika
THIKA, Kenya - Running at the Kenya Athletics Training Academy (KATA) has become a magnet for athletes and spectators alike, and today’s 5th Annual KATA Double Road Race proved just that. Energy and motivation filled the air as both athletes and coaches gathered to celebrate one of Kenya’s most innovative race formats.
Anticipation Builds for the 5th Annual KATA Double Road Race in Thika
The countdown is over—the 5th Annual KATA Double Road Race takes place tomorrow, September 20, in Thika, Kenya. The unique two-stage event, featuring a 10K run followed by a break and a 5K, promises high drama and fast performances. With the depth of talent assembled, the prospect of a world record is very much on the table.
Running Beyond Limits: How KATA Kapkatet Camp Is Shaping the Future of Kenyan Athletics
In the heart of Kericho County, where rolling tea estates stretch endlessly toward the horizon, the rhythmic sound of pounding feet cuts through the crisp morning air. At 5:30 a.m., long before the first rays of sunlight pierce the mist, a group of young athletes from the KATA Kapkatet Camp gathers for prayer before setting off on their daily run.
Dreams in Motion, Roots in the Soil: Emmanuel Kiptoo Langat, the Runner Behind Potato Farming Projects
KERICHO, Kenya - At dawn in Kericho’s highlands, the red dirt roads echo with the rhythmic sound of running feet. Among the lean silhouettes slicing through the mist is Emmanuel Kiptoo Langat (Manuu), a 33-year-old road runner whose journey began in the rugged terrain of Chorwa, a small village in Nakuru County bordering Kenya’s vast Mau Forest. His story is not just about chasing personal bests but also about cultivating resilience—both on the track and in his community.
Brock Hinzmann Partners with KATA Running Camp in Eldoret
KATA Running Camp 10 in Eldoret, operated by Ruth Chumo, has a new partner—Brock Hinzmann, a lifelong runner and visionary thinker.
More Than a Medal: How Olympian Edwin Soi is Shaping the Future of Kenyan Running - KATA 05
In the misty highlands of Kuresoi, nestled at a staggering 2,700 meters above sea level, an elite training camp quietly hums with the sounds of determination — rhythmic footfalls, laboured breaths, and the occasional cheer of encouragement.