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Ethiopian Endurance

Ethiopian Endurance

Have you ever wondered how the Ethiopians have so much Endurance when it comes to distance running? Only recently another Ethiopian won an international marathon in Arizona, USA. Is it genetics, do they eat or drink something special, what is your view on the matter?

Endurance Ethiopian

I think that Ethiopians seem to be so good at distance running is because of the terrain and temperature of their country. Ethiopia is hot and dry with many hills, no large ones, but smaller hills that allow the continuous changing of the terrain. When they go to an international event, it is usually not as hilly and not as hot making it easier for them than their training thus giving them the advantage.

Ethiopian Endurance Sports & Fashion Music Movies

To expand on what konquererz said, Ethiopians also tend to have a smaller and more lightweight frame that would move through the air gracefully. That could also be a factor. Long distance running is the only sport ever that Ethiopians have won gold in a major competition.

Edited: whiteligher on 21st Nov, 2006 - 10:33am

Endurance Ethiopian

It is not just the Ethiopians, but Kenyans are very good too. I used to run a lot of long distance in my 20's and in St Louis I completed a marathon. You have no idea how crushing it is to find yourself only a little more than half done to hear that the winner has already crossed the finishline! That year it was a Kenyan.

One of the theories that is pretty prominent amongst the running community is that the Ethiopians and Kenyans benefit from training at high altitude with favorable weather that allows year round training in these altitudes. This increases the red blood cell count and improves strength. However, they also have very good running organizations and it helps that this is a very popular sport in the respective countries that attract the better athletes in general. There is one last advantage/disadvantage that cannot be overlooked. The desire to get out of poverty. For most of the runners of these countries, it is likely their only way out!