radiolab | At the 1968 summer Olympics in Mexico City, Kipchoge Keino overcame a
gall bladder infection to win gold in the 1500 meter race. Since then,
one particular group of Kenyans - the Kalenjin - has produced an
astonishing number of great long-distance runners. Gregory Warner
- NPR's East Africa correspondent - takes Jad and Robert down a rabbit
hole of theories about what exactly is going on in Kalenjin country.
David Epstein and John Manners help
Greg untangle a web of potential factors - from something in the
cornmeal to simple economics. And, after talking to a young Kalenjin
runner named Elly Kipgogei, Greg
discovers a somewhat disturbing explanation for Kalenjin running
prowess that actually makes him want to get on the treadmill and push
himself just a little harder.
