Run Like the Wind: A Geographical Look at Kenyan Supremacy in Long Di :: essays research papers fc

Run Like the Wind A Geographical Look At Kenyan Supremacy in Long Distance RunningIn East Africa, there is an area know as the considerable Rift Valley. It is in this Great Rift Valley, where the worlds most dominant long distance runners come from, Kenya. In the past three decades, runners from Kenya have simply dominated the playing period of long distance running in all facets including cross-country, track, and the marathon. In the world rankings for marathon running, Kenyans hold 8 of the top 10 spots for the men and 6 of the top ten spots in womens rankings. (Entine, Par. 2) But how can ane country be so overpowering in a rollick that anyone can participate in? There are a number of factors that all work to lollher to make Kenyan runners the best of the best. Rigorous prepare regimens, the physical geography of Kenya, country and world support of the athletes, genetics and early participation of children are all factors in the study of why Kenyan runners are by far the b est long distance runners in the world. To start off, you must look at the physical geography in which the Kenyans train.Kenya is located in East Africa and is dominated by the Great Rift Valley. A rift vale developed from faulting caused by tension in the earths crust. The sides of the valley are usually steep and can be up to 2,000 meters high. The Great Rift Valley gives Kenya areas of great elevation. This elevation equals thinning of the air as you get to higher and higher altitudes, which makes it more difficult to breath, especially when running. This altitude plus the equatorial latitudes creates and ideal climate for sustained outdoor activity comfortably immediate days, cool nights, low humidity. That with the altitudes aerobic benefits, show how Kenyas highlands are ideal for distance running. It should also be noted that every one of the countrys world-class runners is a highlander. In an hour and 40 minutes they run more than 15 miles over uneven red clay, dodge smal l herds of cattle and donkeys laden with sacks of potatoesThe route climbs more that 3,000 feet, from and elevation of slightly more than 6,500 feet at the river to nearly 10,000 at the peak, where oxygen is precious and a rude wind slices across the face of the hill. (Layden, par. 2)It is in this environment that the Kenyan runners perform their grueling training regimens.