Kaptagat: Legend Kimutai living his dream of nurturing stars

It is early morning at Complete Sports training facility in Kaptagat, Uasin Gishu County, and a team of budding athletes are on a speed work programme.

Their calves are burning as their breaths form clouds.

With thin layers of sweat covering the napes of their necks as cold air bites into their lungs, one group jogs at the playground.

And as the athletes’ feet slap the ground hard, one man – Japheth Kimutai, watches keenly as talents gain momentum; his broad smile appearing to assure the youngsters that they are on the right track.

Two coaches, Elijah Samoei  and Peninah Talam, who trained athletics at the national police service before retiring in 2022, are the main tacticians.

Twelve years ago, Kimutai, a 1998 Commonwealth 800m champion, launched a mentorship initiative with the aim of producing what he calls all-rounded talents.

It was until early last year when the ultra-modern training camp, completed with the support of Kimutai’s German friend Bernd Breitmaier, was officially launched.

To the retired 800m star, the modern training camp is a dream come true.

After the speed work sessions, the former world silver medallist ushers our team to a serene camp located next to a forest. One would be mistaken to think that it’s a hotel.

Inside, a large house with a spacious lounge, dining area and guest rooms, sits in the middle. It is surrounded by shades, a kitchen and other smaller buildings.

“The lounge is where our upcoming athletes watch races. They will be following the upcoming Olympic Games from here. It will be a good watch party. We made sure that their comfort is a priority,” says Kimutai.

A dairy farm located next to a solar plant that powers the camp is situated on one side, which also has trees planted by who-is-who in athletics, from Ibrahim Hussein to Moses Tanui and to Paul Tergat and AK President Jack Tuwei.

Kimutai, who also bagged the African 800m title in 1998, says the modern camp was designed by athletes for athletes.

Tonny Helsinki Kigen, the son of Benjamin Limo the Kenyan legend who claimed the 2005 world 5,000m title in Helsinki, Finland and Cornelius Kibet, son to Olympic 10,000m bronze medallist Micah Kogo are among upcoming stars chasing their athletics dreams at serene camp. The duo is set to join US universities by November.

The history-making moments of Kenyan legends are refreshed as athletes enjoy afternoon breezes.

Godfrey Kimutai, the son of long distance star – Commonwealth 5,000m bronze medallist Mark Kiptoo (who is the camp’s ambassador), is also among athletes following in the footsteps of their fathers while seeking to balance academics and sports.

Javelin sensation Irene Chepkemboi is among youngsters who were nurtured at Kaptagat-based camp before realising their American dreams.

Chepkemboi, who set the Kenyan national record at the Texas A&M invitational in March, was trained at Complete Sports after being spotted in school games. She also broke the Texas Christian University javelin record during the competition.

According to Samoei, Chepkemboi was spotted in Turbo during sub-county school games.

“We can’t claim to have the best facilities to train a javelin athlete, but we used the basic equipment at our disposal to nurture Chepkemboi. When she went to the US, she accessed better facilities and that is perhaps the reason she is performing much better,” Samoei said.

“We are monitoring her performance from here (Kaptagat) and she has shown that she will be the female version of Julius Yego (former world champion and Olympic silver medallist).”

Last year, 800m youngster Kelvin Kimutai and Chepkemboi joined the list of stars who impressed at the national trials for the 2023 World Under-20 championships in Nairobi.

Budding athlete Isaac Eroo Ereng from Katilu, Turkana County is hoping to become one of the country’s best 800m stars.

Ereng is inspired by world silver medallist Emmanuel Wanyonyi.

“I finished Form Four in 2022. I have been competing in Athletics Kenya (AK) championships. My ambition is to run a good time and book my place in global championships.

“I admire Emmanuel Wanyonyi because of his focus. I once met him at Kipchoge Stadium during one of our training sessions, we didn’t get time to talk but I have been watching his races. I wish to compete with him one day,” says Ereng, who is a product of Kipchoge Keino High School.

To Ereng, athletics is the only means to uplift his family back in Turkana.

“I have two brothers and a sister; my younger brother is still in high school and he loves athletics, just like me. When I see athletes such as Daniel Ebenyo and Zablon Ekwam, who come from pastoralist communities like me, I feel inspired to train even harder,” the youngster says.

Kelvin Ngeiywa, who comes from the same area as Olympian Abel Kipsang in Trans Nzoia County, also hopes to make history in 800m, in the future.

He trains alongside Ereng and 36 other athletes at Complete Sports.

“I competed in school and some coaches encouraged me that I would be a professional athlete.

“I was inspired by Abel Kipsang. He told me that I would make it athletics if I train hard. The coach saw my running styles and recommended that I run 800m,” Ngeiywa says.

Viola Kosgei, an alumnus of Metkei Girls – an athletics powerhouse, is chasing her 3,000m and 5,000m dreams as she hopes to represent a US university.

Race walker Silvia Jerono Kemboi is a prominent figure at the camp.

Kemboi represented Kenya at the 2022 Africa Senior championships in Mauritius and won bronze in a race won by Emily Ngii.