IN PRAISE OF ST. PATRICKS ITEN

Brother Colm O'Connell of Ireland came to Iten in 1976 expecting to stay just three months teaching geography, but has remained there ever since. He began coaching a track and field team at the school. The product of the team is some of the best middle and long distance running athletes in the world, the likes of 800M World champion David Rudisha including several Olympic gold medalists, and numerous world champions world record setters and elite marathoners. Many athletes are attracted to the school. The surrounding town of Iten, with a population of about 4,000, is said to house as many as 500 athletes, a high altitude training camp, and many people related to the sport.