Why athletes at the Kaptagat camp take teamwork seriously

© Eliud Kipchoge Twitter

ATHLETICS Why athletes at the Kaptagat camp take teamwork seriously

Abigael Wafula 20:10 - 22.03.2023

2019 World Cross-country champion Joshua Cheptegei of Uganda also insisted on teamwork.

Athletes hailing from the Kaptagat training camp led by world marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge strongly hold teamwork at the core of their training.

Kipchoge noted that they believe in character, sport and education. He revealed that they are driven by the value of team work and trust.

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“Team work for us goes hand in hand with trust…that’s how we live here,” he told KTN.

The 2018 Lille Half Marathon champion Victor Chumo also revealed that training as a group enables him to have high energy levels and the morale to keep going.

He noted that watching his mates working hard also comes as an inspiration for him to dig deeper and go to the next level.

“With the group, you are able to have conversations and crack jokes…that helps you to push yourself despite the challenges,” he said.

Meanwhile, three-time World Half Marathon champion Geoffrey Kamworor attested that training is an uphill task especially during the long runs and track sessions.

He noted that teamwork enables them to push and motivate each other to achieve their goals.

“An example is the 40km, you cannot run alone. You need a team to run with so that you can encourage each other,” Kamworor said.

On his part, 2019 World Cross-country champion Joshua Cheptegei also insisted on teamwork. Cheptegei used to train in Kaptagat before moving to his native Uganda in the district of Kapchorwa.

He noted that training with the team helps him to gauge where he stands in matters of fitness. “It offers me an opportunity to know my fitness levels. It offers me a learning environment,” Cheptegei said.