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The African Mangata Ndiwa has been running ever since he can remember. As a little boy he herded his family’s cattle, running barefoot behind the animals. And then there were the races at school: Anyone, who came too late had to run rounds as a punishment. And, ever since he can remember, Mangata has been dreaming of becoming one of the best runners in the world. The 18-year-old has to swallow a lot of red dust when he tears over the unsurfaced course while training in the dry season. Mangata lives in the high plateau of the Rift Valley in the north-west of Kenya. And he belongs to the tribe of the Kalenjin, just like his idols Peter Rono, Moses Kiptanui or Wilson Kipketer. The Kalenjin are reputed to be the best runners in the world. Is it their body control and air of detachment that make them the kings of the long distance? Or is it their faith, which helps them to simply let things take their course? Scientists have often tried to discover the reason – until now to no avail.