According to the International Association of Athletics Federations, 35 out of 50 of the world's fastest marathon runners are Kenyan. A number of theories help to explain the abundance of Kenyan elite runners. Increased lung capacity due to an acclimation to high altitudes, a running culture among Kenyan tribes, physiology and genetics all likely play a significant role in the success of Kenyan marathon runners.
James Kwambai
James Kwambai, 26 years old, is tied as the second fastest marathon runner of all time, running the 2009 Rotterdam Marathon in 2:04.27. He won Brescia Marathon and Beijing Marathon in 2006, which were his first two marathons. He finished second in the 2008 Berlin marathon after the world's fastest man, Ethiopia's Haile Gebrselassie. Kwambai finished fifth place in the 2010 New York Marathon.
Duncan Kibet
In 2009, Duncan Kibet edged out James Kwambai in the Rotterdam Marathon to win with a time of 2:04:27. He ties James Kwambai as the second fastest marathon runner of all time. When he was 16 years old, Kibet suffered severe damage to his legs in a car accident, almost losing the ability to walk. He ran his first marathon in Vienna in 2008 and finished second. He later won the Milan Marathon in the same year with a time of 2:07:53.
Evans Rutto
Evans Rutto holds the record for having the fastest debut marathon time, finishing the 2003 Chicago Marathon in 2:05:50. The following year, he won the Chicago Marathon once agan. Rutto is ranked as the fourth fastest marathon runner of all time. He also won the London Marathon in the same year. His personal best time ranks him among one of the top 20 fastest runners of all time.
Paul Tergat
Paul Tergat held the world record for fastest marathons from 2003 to 2007 finishing with a time of 2:04:55 in the 2003 Berlin Marathon. Tergat received second place in his first three marathons, which included two London Marathons in 2001 and 2003 and the Chicago Marathon in 2001. Tergat won the New York Marathon in 2005. Tergat has also been recognized for doing a great deal of nonprofit work, as he started his own foundation to aid Kenyan athletes.
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