Nigeria, March 6 -- After even a short walk through Nairobi's stifling heat and throat-clogging car fumes coming from the long queue of 'Matatu' (Nairobi commercial buses), travelling along Rift Valley, en route Kapsisiywa, Nandi County, the continental ridge system that stretches from Kenya to Ethiopia is a welcome oasis for athletes who want to make their mark in long or short distance races.

Top athletes like Eliud Kipchoge, (who is from Nandi County), David Rudisha, Wilson Kipsang among others, cut their teeth in long-distance race training in the rift valley.

Today, it is no surprise that Kenyans enjoy getting drunk on stories of their own exceptional performances in this sport.

The country's outstanding success in long-distance r...