Joseph Vallin

Dr. Dietel-McLaughlin
WR 13300
7 November 2014
East African Running: Annotated Bibliography
Abstract: Although competitive running is one of the few truly international sports, it is almost
completely dominated by a group of elite runners from the relatively small geographical region of East
Africa. Not only does this unique phenomenon arouse my curiosity but also the sport: running. As an
avid runner, myself, I am always looking for ways to improve my performance, looking to the example of
the elites. For this research paper, I plan to examine the physical, environmental, cultural, and rhetorical
factors that elevate the performance of Kenyan and Ethiopian runners. By answering the question of
why East African runners have such a competitive edge, I hope to understand the greater question of
how regional culture and rhetoric affect athletic performance and how these factors can be
implemented to improve American running performance. First I will examine some of the common
factors that people suspect lead to East African performance genetics, anatomy, altitude, training
strategies, diet, etc. Next I will examine what I claim to be the most critical factors: the connections of
running to East African culture and the rhetorical images of runners in East African society. Finally, I will
cross-examine these findings with how running is perceived in America in order to expose areas that
lead to inferior American performance.
Bale, John, and Joe Sang. Kenyan Running : Movement Culture, Geography, and Global Change. London ;
Portland, OR : F. Cass, 1996. Print.
Billat, Veronique, et al. "Training and Bioenergetic Characteristics in Elite Male and Female Kenyan
Runners." Medicine and science in sports and exercise 35.2 (2003): 297. Print.
Ireri, Mukami. In Kenya, Youngsters Run, Run, Run, Run. 129 Vol. , 1980. Print.
In this New York Times article, writer and journalist Mukami Ireri, himself a Kenyan, tells a
childhood personal narrative about running to an American audience. Recalling the inspirational
impact of a recent Kenyan Olympic medalist to the American running scene, he explains what he
views is the lesser known reason for Kenyan Olympic success. The argument put forward in is
editorial narrative is that Kenyans, have been running since [they] could walk, simply because
*they+ had to and because of this are more accustomed and conditioned to the sport (Ireri 1).
He recalls how he would have to run three miles to school and back at least 2 times a day as well
as for any errands that his mother sent him on. According to Ireri, life depended on running (1).
Overall, this source appears to be a great starting point for my research. I begins to delve into
the cultural importance of running and the rhetorical image of runners. Although a bit dated, it
is an excellent primary source from the account of a Kenyan writer and provides a much needed
realistic perspective of the Kenyan running scene.

Jenkins, C. Kenyan Running: Movement Culture, Geography and Global Change - Bale,J, Sang,J. 96 Vol. ,
1997. Print.
Lacey, Marc. A Tourist Spot with no Stars, but Many Medals.(Camp for Long-Distance Runners' Training,
Sponsored by Fila, in Kapsait, Kenya)(International Pages). 151 Vol. , 2002. Print.
Mayes, Randall E. The Cybernetics of Kenyan Running : Hurry, Hurry has no Blessing. Durham, N.C. :
Carolina Academic Press, 2005. Print.
Mwaniki, Munene F. "Reading the Career of a Kenyan Runner: The Case of Tegla Loroupe." International
Review for the Sociology of Sport 47.4 (2012): 446-60. Print.
New ING U.S. Social Media Program Aims to Inspire ING New York City Marathon Runners., 2012. Print.
Onywera, Vincent O. "East African Runners: Their Genetics, Lifestyle and Athletic Prowess." Medicine
and Sport Science 54 (2009): 102-9. Web.
In this article Vincent Onywera, a doctor in the Department of Exercise, Recreation and Sport
Science at Kenyatta University in Kenya, explores several possible explanation for Kenyan running
dominance. Written in the Medicine and Sport Science journal, the audience is most likely academic or
those interested in the sport of running. The context for this article, like many others, is the dominant
performance by Kenyan and other East African runners in the recent decades. Onywera begins by
exploring genetics a possible cause of a body more predisposed for endurance sports. He mentions how
genes are responsible for cardiac capacity, muscle size and composition, and lung capacity. After
reviewing several genetic case studies that were rather inconclusive, Onywera ends with one study that
identifies many elite Kenyan runners with having certain mtDNA haplogroups that are not found as
often in the general populous. Next, Onywera does a brief overview of other factors such as diet and
way of life. Here he mentions a new possible cause for success (at least for me) in the fact that Kenyans
are able to listen to their bodies more due to the relative lack of technology. He concludes with the
remark that much more research is needed to definitively say what is the major factor(s) affecting
Kenyan running. This source was the first that I came across that talked in depth about Kenyan genetics.
The author of this article was also a part of another study which I am using as a source and some
common threads in claims are found between the two. This source while lacking in some areas, will still
help me discuss the impact, or lack thereof, of genetics to Kenyan running.
Perlez, Jane. Kenyans Run an Informal Path to Success. (Kisii, Nandi Tribes Produce Many of Kenya's Best
Runners). 140 Vol. , 1991. Print.
This article, from the New York Times, offers its American audience a unique perspective into
the success of Kenyan runners. Written in the partial regards to the coming World Track and
Field Championship in Tokyo 1991, it rightly predicts the Kenyans will probably walk away with
many gold medals. However, unlike other sources which attribute this success to diet, altitude

or anatomy, this article takes a new perspective into Kenyan running secrets. First, it explains
how Kenyans pick up running at an early age. Whether due to the lack of vehicle transportation,
or due to the motivation from a throng of elite fellow Kenyan runners, young Kenyans put in the
miles on a daily basis and become very proficient some even good enough to finish within the
elite pack at races. However, almost counterintuitively, the training coaches hold them from
competing on an international level. In Kenya running training is very low key. Its not technical.
Its to encourage them.. (Perlez 1). This no-rush training system allows the runners to develop
more and avoid burnout. This source is similar to some of my other sources which focus on how
Kenyan lifestyle and culture affects running dominance almost more so than other conventional
explanations. This source will do well with explaining the cultural and rhetorical side of my
argument of why Kenyans hold such dominance at running.
Pitsiladis, Yannis P., et al. "The Dominance of Kenyans in Distance Running." Equine and Comparative
Exercise Physiology 1.4 (2004): 285-91. Print.
In this article from a physiology journal, Pitsiladis (member of the Institute of biomedical & Life
Sciences at University of Glasgow) and his colleagues discuss the validity of several common
factors attributed to Kenyan success in running. The audience appears to be scholarly as well as
those interested in the sport of running. In response to the unrivaled success of Kenyan running,
Pitsiladis et al. suggest sociocultural factors, environmental conditions, genetics, and motivation
from lifestyle each as reasons that improve Kenyan performance. For example, many cultural
traditions such as cattle-raiding involve significant running which predisposes Kenyans to the
sport at an early age (Pitsiladis et al. 287). On the other hand, Pitsiladis et al. makes the point
that 75% of elite Kenyan runners come from a tribe that accounts for 3% of the population,
leading some to believe that genetics is at work (286). Regardless, the Pitsiladis point is that
many factors contribute to Kenyan running and that each ones weight has yet to be fully
determined. Also verifies, Ireri, in that running to school has a significant effect on the
development of young Kenyan runners. Overall, this source is an excellent starting source that
accurately and evenly, albeit briefly, examines each performance factor and also provides
relevant statistics and data.
Raphael, T. J. "Runner's World Sees Boom in Social Media: Facebook Climbs 111 Percent in One Year,
Twitter by 293 Percent.(IDEA EXCHANGE: QUICK HITS AND NEW INITIATIVES)." Folio: the
Magazine for Magazine Management 41.2 (2012): 18. Print.
In this article from the magazine Folio, writer TJ Raphael (an editor for Public Radio International
and former senior editor for Folio) chronicles the recent success of the Magazine Runners World
in increasing the following of its social media. She appears to be writing to either business or
running minded people. She describes how in one year Runners World has increased Facebook
followers by 111% and Twitter followers by 293% (Raphael 1). The main cause for this has been
several movements including live tweeting and blogging running events that arent live
broadcasted on TV as well as increasing the use of events associated with the hashtag in their

magazine like #RWRunStreak and #RunningTips (1). Although not related to many of my other
sources in content. This source provides material that shows how the running movement in
America can be influence positively by social media, a possible way for America to increase
support for running in order to someday compete with Kenyan athletes. I will probably use this
source towards the end of my paper when comparing the American and Kenyan running scenes.
Robinson, Roger. "The Ethiopia/Kenya Running Phenomenon." Runner's World & Running Times.
Running Times, 19 Mar. 2014. Web. 28 Oct. 2014.
In this article found in the popular running magazine Running Times, the author describes to a
running audience, the magnitude and effects of the Kenyan running phenomenom. The context, like
other sources, is the recent dominance on the part of East African distance running. He begins by
explaining how substantial and significant the performance of East African runners is. Impressively, he
reveals that out of 134 sub 2:10 marathons last year, all but fifteen went to East Africans (Robinson 1).
Robinson goes on to assert that, no globally popular human activity has ever been so dominated at
elite level by people from such a relatively small region (1). Later in his article he describes how the
world has responded to this impressive feat, and how it is bringing cultures together in cooperation
rather than fierce competition. Although much of this articles content is slightly off target for what I am
trying to argue, it still provides relevant statistics of the magnitude of Kenyan running dominance.
Sticker, Jerry. "A Running Conversation with Malcolm Gladwell." Runner's World & Running Times.
Runner's World, 5 Aug. 2013. Web. 28 Oct. 2014.
In this magazine article from the popular running magazine Runners World, the best-selling
author Malcom Gladwell is interviewed about is experience with running. The audience is
definitely a nationwide group of runners who would enjoy hearing Gladwells thoughts about
their sport. In light of Gladwells interest in running and then soon to be released book about
David and Goliath, a Runners World editor interviews him to find out more about his opinions
on various running related issues. Among other things, Gladwell explains how increased running
world records will have to come from expanding the running base/pool, how Kenya is more
efficient at discovering talented runners than America, how Kenyans benefit from a community
based training regimen, and how relative economic disadvantages translate into increased
competitive advantages. To explain several of his claims, he references his then soon to be
released book, David and Goliath, which among other things talks about the advantages one has
when they have nothing to lose. Unlike other sources, Gladwells opinions about Kenyan running
are quite different, and reflect the research that he has done in some of his best-selling books. I
think it will provide a fresh look into the rhetorical image of Kenyan runners which I will address
in my paper.