Beyond the Red Dust: Recapping the December 2025 Kenya Experience

The red dust has settled on our final open camp of 2025, and what a way to close out the year. Iten has a way of changing you; over two weeks, we watched 18 runners from across the globe tackle challenges, build friendships, embrace Kenyan culture, and find entirely new gears in their running.

From the legendary “Home of Champions” trails to the quiet warmth of the local community, here is how we spent our December in Kenya.

Camp at a Glance

Location: High Altitude Training Centre (HATC), Iten, Kenya
The Team: Led by Willy Songok (Guest Relations), Richard Mukche (Coach), Emmanuel Kipruto (Lead Guide), and captured by Toni Hiram.
The Tribe: 18 guests representing 9 countries, including Brazil, Colombia, Germany, Madagascar, Netherlands, Poland, UK, USA, and Switzerland. A truly inclusive camp with ages ranging from 20 to 68.
Solo Travelers: 89% of our guests arrived solo, proving that you may arrive alone, but you’ll leave as part of a global running family.

Unforgettable Moments

We packed a lifetime of memories into two weeks, but a few moments truly defined the spirit of this camp:

The Moiben Half Marathon: Crushing the course and earning what we’ve officially dubbed the “fiercest race medal” we’ve ever seen.
Morning Rituals: Those magical sunrise runs on Iten’s endless trails, flanked by our incredible local guide runners.
The Thursday Fartlek: Jumping into the world-famous local session – and surviving! There is nothing like the sound of hundreds of feet hitting the dirt in unison.
A Living Legend: The distinct honour of touring St. Patrick’s High School with Brother Colm O’Connell, the “Godfather of Kenyan Running.”
Global Friendships: Building bonds that we know will last long after the effects of the altitude have worn off.

“

I highly recommend the Kenya Experience to anyone that loves running and exploring new places. The team of Willy, Richard, and Emmanuel, as well as all of the pacers and hospitality staff, made us all feel like we were part of their family. I came to Iten only expecting to run, but the experiences I gained go way beyond running. Book the trip. You won’t regret it!
Hilary Weckstein

“

A fantastic experience. A family that feels like home. Incredibly good coaching. Excellent pacers. Food that athletes need, and a nice place to sleep and retreat in the evenings. Everything is provided for optimal training. I'd love to come back again. Thank you🙏
Dorien Van Loenen

“

A truly life-changing experience
The Kenya Experience was honestly one of the best experiences of my life. Willy, Richard and Emmanuel were exceptional leaders and coaches. They were inspiring, supportive, and so passionate. Every session felt special, from unforgettable track workouts to hard but joyful fartlek sessions on the red dirt roads that I will think about forever.
The pacers were incredible and encouraging every step of the way, creating such an uplifting atmosphere. The food was so tasty, and everything about the experience was better than I could ever have expected.
The group was amazing, and the memories we made in Iten, both running and beyond, will stay with me forever. It was incredible to see the local village and spend time with the children, which added so much meaning to the whole experience. The safari was also unforgettable and such a special highlight.
Truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I could not recommend it more.
Sarah Monger-Godfrey