Mo Farah on how Kenyan runners shaped his career
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Reading Time: 3min | Tue. 18.03.25. | 09:06
The former Olympic champion has actively engaged in philanthropic efforts in the country, particularly in supporting youth and migrant athletes
Somali-British long-distance legend Sir Mo Farah has revealed the secret behind his success in athletics, and it all traces back to the influence of Kenyan runners.
The four-time Olympic gold medalist and one of the most decorated distance runners in history credits the Kenyan training culture for shaping his approach to the sport.
With six World Championship gold medals, six European titles, and a marathon victory in the 2018 Chicago Marathon, Farah reveals that his illustrious career was built on dedication, discipline, and sacrifice, traits he learned from Kenyan athletes.
For instance, in the buildup to the London 2012 Olympics, Farah was part of Team Great Britain’s high-altitude training camp in Iten, Kenya, where he trained at the Lornah Kiplagat High Altitude Training Centre.
In an interview with Untapped, Farah revealed how he first encountered Kenyan athletes.
“My manager was looking after a lot of Kenyans at the time, and they would just eat, sleep, and train. I was in university, living life, having fun with friends, but at some point, I had to question myself. How was I going to make it if I kept living like that?” he offered.
He initially struggled to keep up with the Kenyan runners during training but saw an opportunity for growth.
“I jumped in with them, and I could keep up in certain sessions, but not all the time. They were that good,” he said.
Upon completing university, his manager suggested he live and train with Kenyan athletes.
“That was the best experience I ever had. Their training had me questioning how I would ever beat th. So, I decided to do the same,” he revealed.
Farah later took his commitment a step further by traveling to the Rift Valley in Kenya, where he trained at an altitude of about 8,000 feet above sea level.
“It felt like the right thing to do. I was seeing my friends finishing their degrees and getting jobs, and I had no degree. So, I told myself I needed to take running seriously,” he disclosed.
This change in mentality paid off tremendously, leading him to dominate distance running for over a decade.
Farah’s connection to Kenya extends beyond training. He has actively engaged in philanthropic efforts in the country, particularly in supporting youth and migrant athletes. He opened a digital library at the Mathare Youth Sports Association (MYSA) headquarters in Komarock, Nairobi.
He also participated in tree planting and delivered an inspirational talk to young athletes. As part of his visit, he took part in the Mo Farah Cup, a football tournament featuring over 200 urban migrants, where MYSA emerged victorious.
Additionally, Farah visited the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Turkana, advocating for the inclusion and development of sports among refugees.
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