The Olympus at Kaptagat

Written by Otiato Guguyu

If you are given a fruit and had to choose whether to eat it today or plant it and have plenty in the future what would you choose to do?

A wellness training of athletes at Eliud Kipchoge’s training camp sponsored by Absa Kenya Foundation, started off with this philosophical question, that is at the center of the small and big choices we make in life.

Athlete's Mecca

Kaptagat Training Camp on the fringes of Kaptagat forest overlooking Eldoret is chilly, very chilly as it unfolds along undulating hills, that are dotted with local elite homes. They pop-up all over rising with complex ‘modern roofs’ that are replacing the old European mansard ambition that had defined wealth here and at the State House.

While the elites are investing in malls and private schools that could only be afforded by the children of foreign ministers, eating the fruit today, Kenya's premier athletes are burrowing their money to produce the glory of the future which we will all claim as ours.

At Kipchoge’s camp the lessons are apparent, sapling trees carry the medals of the people who had planted them, rooting a culture of influencing people to grow more trees and think deeper about the future.

Trainers, physios, visiting dignitaries, and even a gardener have put their names laminated, on the trees, while three-time 1500m Olympic Champion Faith Kipyegon had several to her name, seemingly dedicating each medal and record to a tree.

These varied tree species provide shade at the camp fencing off the track, littered with Ineos branding, and inviting visitors to attempt what imitating Eliud only for the last lap. Inside the camp they provide low branches for visual boards where Eliud Kipchoge’s life philosophies are written on plaques, offering his wisdom to all who care to look.

Stickler

We visited the two-time Olympic marathon champion at the Kaptagat Training Camp where Absa Bank had organised a financial management and nutrition program for several athletes in preparation for the upcoming Absa Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour.

Together with local sports journalists we drove to the camp which felt larger than life from the get go. Had our names been forwarded beforehand, one asked. Some changes had been made about access to the camp. While initially one could just walk in, unannounced now access was controlled.

The athletes kept strict schedules for training in the forest, for meditation, for physio and for a siesta that should not be interrupted. The journalists spoke about these changes with reverence, almost intimidation of the legend’s presence.

But when you approached him at his sanctuary he was the most affable of personalities. Firm and sturdy like lean muscles his handshake was firm and he held your eyes prying.

Humbled by greatness

His humility is infectious, he sat down on the grass to receive Absa’s wisdom on money management skills, budgeting, and retirement planning, along with nutrition training aimed at enhancing the athletes' growth and performance.

The nutrition program, facilitated by Nutrition by Nthenya for several athletes in preparation for the upcoming Absa Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country included debunking myths around the best food for athletes, and practical adise like never eating Sukuma wiki or milk before running.

None of the teachers went unchallenged though as Eliud challenged their teaching probed their assumptions and sort of rallied the young boys and girls to come forward with their own questions and learn from the bankers and health experts.

In the end, he called on corporates to take on sports sponsorship which does not require a huge budget but could be something as little as buying air tickets to allow these young talents to compete abroad and get global exposure.

“I believe knowledge is power and a way to get knowledge is to have a seminar like this with Absa. Above that Absa has also given food to athletes who are having a lot of problems as far as food, accommodation, and equipment are,” said the legendary athlete.

Sirikwa

The legend who is preparing for the London Marathon in April made an appearance at the Absa Sirikwa Classic Cross-Country marathon at the Lobo Village in Kapseret, Eldoret.

He interacted with fans and fellow legendary athletes who were lucky not to be on the unforgiving Sirikwa classic grounds. Set in the heat of dry February the bone dry track looked unforgiving, the gales were relentless, and even the finest faltered.

But on the sidelines the light of Eliud Kipchoge kept giving and no amount of flashing camera lights dimmed it; as he took photo after photo after photo, after photo, with a smile and a smile and a smile and a smile that kept beaming.

The highlight for me was when these two young boys who had run the track in the morning were itching for his autograph. I asked him if he would oblige the boys and he signed to their hard work in school and the reminder that no one is limited.

Change changes you

That is what you get when by proximity to greatness, and you can feel it rubbing even on Absa Bank as it chases the spirit of Kenya in athletics.

Absa Bank first supported Sirikwa Classic in 2023 with Kes2 million, instantly falling in love with the event and following up in 2024 with Kes3 million before opening the purse strings with Kes11 million support for the 2025 classics.

The Bank, through its recently launched Foundation, is also expanding outreach on the neighborhoods through tree-planting programs under an ambitious target of growing, 10 million trees by 2032.

At A.I.C Lemook Secondary School secondary school, Absa Bak donated 150 tree saplings and a water tank to sustain them, providing the mixed day and boarding school with their own source of water in the water-strained county.

It is only in a school setting that your bosses get beautifully inspired to recount fond memories of their secondary school days and the trauma of not being able to afford a quarter loaf before buying the entire school bread.