Amanal Petros, a top marathoner from Germany, spends six months at Kiplagat's center every year. Born in the Eritrean highlands, he was accustomed to running at high altitude, but Iten's elevation isn't the only reason why he keeps coming back.

"I've trained in many places in the USA and Europe," he said. "Organizing a training partner in Europe is not easy, but in Iten, the home of champions, wherever you go you find a lot of athletes who can train with you."

Jean-Paul Fourier opened the Kerio View Hotel in 2002 starting with a just few rooms. It now has capacity for 50 guests and includes a fitness center.

"I made a small investment and it has really grown," he said. The main season runs from April to September.

"We see many foreigners flocking to not only my hotel, but also neighboring hotels. There are many hotels springing up around the area, but we still get our share of visitors," he said.