East African athletes have in surplus what developed countries lack:
Altitude
Natural training surfaces
Optimal diet composition
Active lifestyle
Moderated stress levels
Lean body composition
Cultural predisposition toward training
Unyielding psychological focus
Mutual Benefit
Developed countries have in surplus what the East Africans are trying to develop:
Plentiful food and water
Accommodation
Shoes and clothing
Training facilities
Advanced Scientific equipment and knowledge
Plentiful skilled medical practitioners
Competitive opportunities
Professional and educational opportunities that allow for rewarding lives outside of athletics
EXPANDING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES TO EAST AFRICAN YOUTH THROUGH RUNNING
Running Across Borders
East African runners have a phenomenal ability that is largely attributable to the physical and socio-cultural environment in which they train. However, all but the most elite of them lack the basic resources that are required to develop and succeed as athletes: food, water, accommodation, training facilities, shoes and clothing; scientific equipment and knowledge, medical knowledge and skill, as well as competitive opportunities.
Europeans and Americans, by contrast, generally have more than ample access to such resources. Nevertheless, when comparing East Africans with Westerners, either through long-distance running competitions or population-wide health trends, the former come out on top. In terms of competitions, for example, a look at the current International Association of Athletics Federation’s (IAAFs) top-100 lists in any event 800 metres or longer shows a strong over-representation of East Africans near the top. In terms of population-wide health trends, meanwhile, East Africans have been documented to have low Body-Mass Indices (BMI) which are correlated with lower incidence of hypertension, compared to people from other parts of the world. In Western countries, furthermore, the interconnected problems of obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases are prevalent, and weight control issues are blamed as the primary cause.
When it comes to explaining these differences environmental factors appear to be highly accountable whereas links to genetic factors are less clear. In particular, East Africans appear to gain great benefits from living and training at altitude, having a traditional diet that is nutritionally optimal, having an active lifestyle from a young age onwards, living with moderated mental stress, maintaining lean body composition, and living in a culture that is pre-disposed toward training. The influence of genetics, however, is questionable. Rather, the organic environment of East Africa should be valued and coveted by anybody wishing to improve his or her physical fitness, whether the aim is to set a personal best time in the marathon or simply to become a healthier individual.
In sum, East Africans have a superior training environment but lack infrastructure and resources, while Europeans/Americans have infrastructure and resources but lack a superior training environment.
While athletes are in Europe to compete in international races, we will arrange for as much interaction as possible between them and European/American people who are involved with running and fitness.
During our trips, we arrange activities that include:
- Training sessions or clinics, with local running or fitness clubs
- Language exchange lessons with local schools
- Social events
- Visits to people's homes for dinner, and/or accommodation.
If you would like to be involed with cultural exchange activities on future racing trips, please
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