Kiprun’s 42 House discovers and trains the next generation of champions in Kenya

A school for future champions, but on a human scale. That’s how you might define 42 House, located in Iten, Kenya. Its mission is as much sporting as it is philanthropic and reflects how Decathlon always values supporting athletes throughout their sporting career. A mythical land renowned for its incredible runners – 60% of the six main marathons are won by athletes from this country – Kenya was an obvious choice for Kiprun to set up a base camp where to recruit and train its own talents.

Leading this innovative project, Anthony Dulieu took up the challenge two years ago and has watched the 42 House grow right in front of him. But why this name?

"When we started thinking about the project beyond its pure performance aspect, there was a desire to bring a family, friendly, authentic element to our athletes. The word 'house' seemed the right one, because it’s a place where you’re happy to come home to and where you share warm experiences," explains the leader of Kiprun. "And ‘42’ obviously refers to the kilometres of a marathon, the mother of all runs."

A Commitment to Long-Term Performance

Built in the famous Rift Valley, the 42 House consists of a 500 sq. m. main building divided into 11 bedrooms, a dining room and a sports training area. Everything there is placed at the service of the 22 young athletes. Four sports coaches, a teaching supervisor, a cook and a caretaker are on hand all year round to guide the budding champions.

Kiprun’s goal is both sporting and human: "It’s to enable local runners to reach long-term performance. In other words, we don’t want them to be one-run wonders who then disappear. We aim to support them over the years so that little by little they can achieve good results," says Dulieu. Dulieu is delighted with the initial results: “We already got athletes in the world’s 10K Top 10, which is a testimony to Kiprun’s credibility,” especially as the brand is eyeing a place in the world’s top 5 running shoes.

A Strong Attachment to Kenya

To make those results last, the brand has surrounded itself with unrivalled local expertise. "We’ve partnered with two schools, including the oldest athletics school in Kenya – actually based in Iten – which has seen all the country’s greatest champions pass through its doors," explains Dulieu. He also makes no secret of the indefectible link that binds his brand to Kenya, "the birthplace of humanity, but also of the world’s best runners. Let’s not forget as well that Decathlon’s first brand Kalenji was named after a tribe from the tableland and already reminiscent of Kenya."

Then, who better to sponsor the 42 House than Paul Chelimo? The local middle-distance living legend and 5K double Olympic medallist – he won Silver in Rio in 2016 and Bronze in Tokyo in 2021 – is mentoring these young athletes. "He was born about 200 yards from 42 House," raves Dulieu. "Above all, he shows them that a Kenyan can succeed in building a long-term career, and he is very keen in leading the way for those young locals.”

"Letting runners express what they feel and their emotions"

For however gifted and promising those young gems may be, none of them is immune to the usual threats, and Dulieu is fast to name the danger: "losing touch with reality, and the money that can come very quickly and that they can’t manage. Sometimes athletes are not psychologically ready; a failed first race in Europe can destroy them, for example. This is where the support provided by 42 House is important. It’s a day-to-day support system that is letting runners express how they feel and their emotions.”

Kiprun designed this project with a desire to hand them the keys to success, both during and after their sporting career, and while the athlete receives a salary, the brand takes no commission on their income. This "unmatched proximity" is Kiprun’s motto and opening a new avenue in Kenya.

"There’s nothing like this model anywhere else in the world," says Dulieu. "Let’s hope more will follow, because it would mean our message is getting through.”

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