Updated By: LatestGKGS Desk
Kalenjin Tribe History, Features, Demography, Language, Dress, Culture
The Kalenjin Tribe: World's best long distance runner
The Kalenjin people lived in the Highlands of the rift valley and they are related to people in the Nile area of Kenya, Sudan and Uganda because of that they are called as the Highland Nilotes.
Kalenjin people grow up near the equator they have thin ankles and calves a common body to Nilotic tribes. Their body structure support to long distance run. Their legs are like a pendulum.
Kalenjins have the advantage of high altitude, which means that needing more oxygen, they are able to condition their hearts and breathing systems. When they come down to lower altitudes, they are able to run much faster than people.
Diet also plays an important part. Like other athletes, Kalenjins consume a great deal of meat and milk, which provide the body with high-energy carbohydrates as well as bone-building calcium.
The Kalenjin find grass for their animals in the lowlands and have to climb many hills. Kalenjin runner Kipchoge Keino defeated world-record holder Jim Ryun in the 1968 Mexico City Olympics in 1500-meter long distance race. That day Keino not only won gold, but he also started in an era of Kenyan dominance.
