If you have participated in, or even watched, a long distance race, you have no doubt seen the pack of Kenyan born runners that have broken away and are rushing toward the finish line. While some people attribute some racial stereotype to this phenomenon, the fact is that there are very good reasons as to why so many African runners make it to the world class level. We’ll take a look at the genetic and physical attributes that help them overcome even the best from any other continent on Earth.
Genetic Potential
In 2000 the Danish Sports Science Institute performed a study in which they compared a group of Kenyan adolescents to a world class Danish track runner. The boys were trained for three months in preparation for the meet and, when the Kenyans won, they were analyzed further. Their tests compared their physical exam results to the Danish superstar, but also against the standards for humans as a whole. A combination of higher red blood cell counts and “bird-like legs” made it easy for them to not only run faster, but more efficiently overall. This means that there is a higher ground floor for running, or athletics as a whole. Some considered this a racist observation, but objective statistics have no bias. That does not mean that every African is a fast runner, but it does mean that they have a greater potential.
Culture
An important thing to look at as well is the culture and aspirations of so many in the poorer parts of the continent. For many young people, professional runners are rockstars. They are the few that made it out of poverty and into a land worldwide fame. Look at the prize for the New York Marathon – $100,000. When you come from a country that dominates this kind of race, that prize money is highly alluring and shockingly achievable. These races are the Super Bowl to young boys and girls here.
Other Factors
There are detractors as well, however. Charles Cheruiyot, a two time Olympian, claimed that daily 10 mile runs to and from school attributed to their ability, but other top level Kenyans have denied that this is true. Many Olympic runners coming from the area have stated that studying the genetic potential demeans the work ethic of the people from their home countries. No doubt they pride themselves on their talent, that much goes without saying. The reality, however, is that no one says that they are benefiting on a racial level from this kind of enhanced potential. Potential is not the same as ability.
In turn, however, African born runners from countries like Kenya have truly inspired runners from all over the world. Being in a race and seeing a group that fast shows you what is truly possible. Of course, your own genetics and background will limit you to a certain extent, but quality specimens of human potential are always something to be admired. What got those runners to that level? Hard work. They have a physical upper hand at the start, but without training, no one would be able to reach the level that these kinds of world class runners do.
This article was written for RunnersGoal.com by James S., a guest author