Kapchorwa: Discover the Roots of Uganda’s Running Champions

Welcome to Kapchorwa, where the air is thin and legends are born. This small town, nestled on the slopes of Mount Elgon at an altitude of 1,950 meters, is no ordinary destination. It’s the home of some of the world’s greatest distance runners, including Joshua Cheptegei, Peruth Chemutai, and Stephen Kiprotich.

If you visit Kapchorwa during your trip through Uganda, there’s a good chance you’ll see one of these Olympic champions training on the trails around town. What many visitors don’t know is that the true roots of these running legends lie even higher up in the hills of the Kween District.

But before we explore those ancestral roots, let’s take a closer look at the villages near Kapchorwa where these champions grew up—and in many cases, still live.

Joshua Cheptegei: The Pride of Kwoti

Joshua Cheptegei grew up in the village of Kwoti, five kilometers above Kapchorwa Town, at an elevation of 2,200 meters. Since 2021, the road to Kwoti has been paved—it leads to the prestigious National High Altitude Training Center in Teryet and Joshua’s own elite training camp.

Although he built a new house closer to town in 2019, Joshua’s roots remain deeply embedded in Kwoti. He even built a home for his parents there. The peaceful setting and high altitude of the village played a key role in shaping his journey to global stardom.

Stephen Kiprotich: Tegeres, Birthplace of a Marathon Legend

Stephen Kiprotich was born and raised in the rural village of Tegeres, nestled in the lush hills between Kapchorwa and Sipi Falls. After his monumental marathon victory at the 2012 London Olympics, President Museveni gifted his family a new house in Tegeres. In 2016, the village received electricity for the first time.

The rolling hills surrounding Tegeres provide the perfect terrain for long-distance training. The calm and beauty of this region make it easy to understand how it has produced such exceptional athletes.

Peruth Chemutai: Barawa’s Olympic Hero

Just outside Kapchorwa Town lies the village of Barawa—home to Olympic champion Peruth Chemutai. In May 2022, she warmly welcomed a group of 20 tour operators from Kampala to her family home, a heartfelt gesture that reflects her humble character.

Peruth recently built her own home just 300 meters from her parents’ house, along a path we now call the Champions Trail. Jacob Kiplimo, the reigning half marathon world champion, is currently building a house along the same trail. Other elite athletes, including marathon world champion Victor Kiplangat (2023) and national cross-country champion Mercyline Chelangat (2022), have also settled along this inspiring route.

The Secrets of Mosopisiek Land

In 2022, during a three-day hike through the higher elevations of Kween District, I joined my team of local guides in search of the deeper roots of Uganda’s running success. We discovered that the ancestral origins of champions like Joshua Cheptegei and Peruth Chemutai trace back to the Mosopisiek—also known as the Benet or Ndorobos, a subgroup of the Sebei people.

The Mosopisiek once lived deep in the forests of Mount Elgon, at altitudes above 2,800 meters. In 1993, they were forced to relocate due to the official boundaries of Mount Elgon National Park. Despite this disruption, they have preserved their traditional and healthy way of life—undoubtedly contributing to the strength and endurance of the younger generation of runners.

On the final day of our hike, we visited the village of Yatui at 2,700 meters, where we met the grandparents of Joshua Cheptegei. Their resilience and connection to their ancestral land left a lasting impression.

Follow in the Footsteps of Uganda’s Running Champions!

Whether you’re a passionate runner or a nature lover, a visit to the “Land of Champions” offers a unique opportunity to discover the roots of Uganda’s greatest athletes. As you walk or run through the hills and villages of Kapchorwa and Kween, you’re not only following in the footsteps of legends like Joshua Cheptegei and Jacob Kiplimo—you’re also immersing yourself in the deep cultural and natural beauty that shaped them.

The Mosopisiek Trail is a multi-day hiking experience offered by Jouw Afrika Reis in collaboration with Home of Friends. It takes you deep into the heart of Mosopisiek Land. Here, you’ll experience the essence of Uganda and the spirit of its champions on a journey through culture, wilderness, and inspiration.

Run Kapchorwa, an initiative by Home of Friends, is committed to putting Kapchorwa on the map as a top destination for running and outdoor adventure. It also creates training and employment opportunities for local youth and women. Through Run Kapchorwa, guided runs and high-altitude training experiences can be arranged.

For more information and inspiration, don’t miss our other blogs—like the Top 5 Impactful Tours on Mount Elgon and the Bamboo Women of the Mosopisiek Trail.

Written by Daan from Home of Friends Guesthouse