![Runners participate in the fast-growing Safaricom Lewa marathon in Kenya. The government is targeting the lucrative sports tourism sector as an engine of economic recovery.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/160817175152-kenya-marathon-2.jpg?q=w_3500,h_2329,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_447)
All inclusive —
Runners participate in the fast-growing Safaricom Lewa marathon in Kenya. The government is targeting the lucrative sports tourism sector as an engine of economic recovery.
![Double Olympic gold medal winner David Rudisha is among the track stars serving to promote Kenya as a sports tourism destination.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/160817174819-gettyimages-589990606.jpg?q=w_2291,h_1527,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_447)
Brand amabassador —
Double Olympic gold medal winner David Rudisha is among the track stars serving to promote Kenya as a sports tourism destination.
![Kenya's Jemima Jelagat Sumgong winning gold for the marathon in Rio. <br /><br />Kenya has an illustrious tradition for runners. Over the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, only the US and Russia claimed more athletics medals. The country is now seeking to cash in on this rich heritage.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/160817174631-gettyimages-589485178.jpg?q=w_2523,h_1682,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_447)
Gold rush —
Kenya's Jemima Jelagat Sumgong winning gold for the marathon in Rio. Kenya has an illustrious tradition for runners. Over the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, only the US and Russia claimed more athletics medals. The country is now seeking to cash in on this rich heritage.
![The town of Iten, where many of the greatest Kenyan runners train, is already a popular draw for sports tourists.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/160818103951-iten-camp.jpg?q=w_4353,h_2915,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_447)
Running with Kenyans —
The town of Iten, where many of the greatest Kenyan runners train, is already a popular draw for sports tourists.
![The High Altitude Training Centre in Iten, run by Kenyan-born Dutch world champion runner Lornah Kiplagat, is reporting rising visitor numbers.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/151203161033-iten-kenya-high-altitude-training-centre.jpg?q=w_3504,h_2336,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_447)
Bed and greatness —
The High Altitude Training Centre in Iten, run by Kenyan-born Dutch world champion runner Lornah Kiplagat, is reporting rising visitor numbers.
![Lornah Kiplagat says it is no longer only elite athletes that visit, but a range of more casual tourists, who want "something different to beach holidays."](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/160817175232-lornah-kip.jpg?q=w_3888,h_2592,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_447)
Sharing the secrets —
Lornah Kiplagat says it is no longer only elite athletes that visit, but a range of more casual tourists, who want "something different to beach holidays."
![Sports enterprizes are proliferating in Iten, such as British runner Gavin Smith's 'The Kenya Experience,' which offers training camps for visitors from around the world.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/160817174536-5.jpg?q=w_2880,h_1920,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_447)
Growing industry —
Sports enterprizes are proliferating in Iten, such as British runner Gavin Smith's 'The Kenya Experience,' which offers training camps for visitors from around the world.
![The camp offers the chance to run with some of Kenya's finest athletes, and learn from their techniques and lifestyles.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/160817174613-8.jpg?q=w_2816,h_1877,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_447)
Up close —
The camp offers the chance to run with some of Kenya's finest athletes, and learn from their techniques and lifestyles.
![Kenyan tourism authorities are seeking to develop new attractions beyond Iten. The Lewa marathon has grown from 180 runners in 2000 to over 1,200 in 2015, and has raised over $5 million for conservation efforts in the area.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/160817175118-kenya-marathon.jpg?q=w_3500,h_2329,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_447)
New attractions —
Kenyan tourism authorities are seeking to develop new attractions beyond Iten. The Lewa marathon has grown from 180 runners in 2000 to over 1,200 in 2015, and has raised over $5 million for conservation efforts in the area.
![Around $20 million of new funding is to be invested in new sporting facilities, including for athletics and rugby, which is increasingly popular through the 'Safari Sevens' tournament in Nairobi.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/160817175247-kenya-rugby.jpg?q=w_4405,h_2936,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_447)
Footing the bill —
Around $20 million of new funding is to be invested in new sporting facilities, including for athletics and rugby, which is increasingly popular through the 'Safari Sevens' tournament in Nairobi.
![Sports such as horse and camel racing are also seeing increased interest and investment.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/160817180532-nairobi-horse-racing.jpg?q=w_4414,h_2946,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_447)
Racing ahead —
Sports such as horse and camel racing are also seeing increased interest and investment.