Warm Weather & Altitude Training

William’s Approach

William spent six weeks in Iten during March and April 2025, followed by four weeks in January 2026 — ten weeks in total across his two visits.

His approach to Iten is characteristically independent. He goes as an individual, without a Kenyan coach, and is not “running with the Kenyans.” He simply arrives and does his own thing — the same self-directed methodology that has guided his training throughout his career.

"I like going there. I like the local people and the climate is perfect. Having now been there for a total of 10 weeks my conclusion is that, for me, it’s anti-ageing!”

— William Sichel

Why Iten Works

Training at altitude stimulates the body to produce more red blood cells, increasing oxygen-carrying capacity. For an athlete in his seventies, the combination of altitude adaptation, consistent warm weather, and low humidity creates an environment that complements Orkney’s winter training in a way that no lower-altitude camp can replicate.

The results speak for themselves: Iten has become a permanent feature of William’s annual training cycle.

Iten in Pictures

William’s own photographs from his camps in the Kenyan highlands. Click any image to enlarge.

Iten — ‘Home of Champions’. The iconic arch marks the town’s identity as the world capital of distance running.

The view from altitude — looking down over the Rift Valley from Iten’s training routes. A constant reminder of just how high you are.

The Lornah Kiplagat Sports Academy — one of Iten’s famous training facilities, named after the Dutch-Kenyan world champion.

Looking down over the valley from the Iten escarpment — a 10km run from town takes you above the clouds.

Morning on the road. Local women carry firewood as William heads out for a training run — daily life that puts the effort of running into perspective.

Out on the roads around Kapteren — one of the regular training routes from Iten, surrounded by Kenyan highland forest.

The Valley Resort — William’s accommodation base in Iten. The characteristic red laterite earth is unmistakably Kenya.

“I like the local people.” William with friendly faces met on the forest trails above Iten.

The highland road network — training runs take in miles of tarmac and red-earth tracks above the Rift Valley, always with dramatic scenery.

Fuelling at altitude. Local tilapia fish with chips and salad — a staple of Iten’s restaurants and excellent recovery nutrition after a long training run.

Iten — ‘Home of Champions’. The iconic arch marks the town’s identity as the world capital of distance running.

The view from altitude — looking down over the Rift Valley from Iten’s training routes. A constant reminder of just how high you are.

The Lornah Kiplagat Sports Academy — one of Iten’s famous training facilities, named after the Dutch-Kenyan world champion.

Looking down over the valley from the Iten escarpment — a 10km run from town takes you above the clouds.

Morning on the road. Local women carry firewood as William heads out for a training run — daily life that puts the effort of running into perspective.

Out on the roads around Kapteren — one of the regular training routes from Iten, surrounded by Kenyan highland forest.

The Valley Resort — William’s accommodation base in Iten. The characteristic red laterite earth is unmistakably Kenya.

“I like the local people.” William with friendly faces met on the forest trails above Iten.

The highland road network — training runs take in miles of tarmac and red-earth tracks above the Rift Valley, always with dramatic scenery.

Fuelling at altitude. Local tilapia fish with chips and salad — a staple of Iten’s restaurants and excellent recovery nutrition after a long training run.