Why Are Kenyans Still Brilliant Runners But Disappointing Footballers?

• Running requires minimum start up cost. To run, all you really need is a good pair of shoes: in fact many future stars even started-off barefoot when they were children.The best training for distance running is piling up mile after mile; for football top performance requires intensive skills-based drills delivered by qualified coaches from a young age.
• Success breeds success. Kenya’s top runners earn a very good living providing them, unlike some other folks back home, with a secure financial future. They are adored in their communities and a source of inspiration for the next generation.
• The middlemen and support structures are less important in running. Team sports demand a more complex organization and the governance environment matters more (not exactly an area of Kenyan strength).

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