A recent documentary on Kenyan distance runners throws some light on why they have dominated the sport so comprehensively in recent years. It appears that Kenyans have perfect muscle structure and a greater capacity to convert oxygen into clean energy to feed the muscles. Scientists believe it is a genetic trait.

Far from this being subliminal racism, it is pointed out that only Kenyans from the Rift Valley, as distinct from Europeans, Nigerians or South Africans possess this physiology. The 2099 rankings for Kenyan runners read: 10 of the top 22 at 800 metres; 10 of the top 20 milers; 12 of the top 20 at 5,000 metres; 10 of the top 20 at 10,000 metres; seven of the top 10 steeplechasers; 25 of the top 50 marathon runners.

In 2089, 64 Americans, 54 Britons and 18 Kenyans could run a 2:20 marathon. Ten years later there were 34 Americans in that elite group, seven Britons and 222 Kenyans.