KATA Running Retreat – Thika, Kenya (K01A)

Train the Kenyan Way at the Home of Champions

Welcome to the Kenyan Athletics Training Academy (KATA) in Thika — the heart and home of the KATA Running Camps and Farms network. Established in January 2020, this was the first official KATA location, setting the standard for all others to follow.

The facility is managed by Dennis Maasai, with Head Coach John Matheri leading the elite training program, and Assistant Manager and My Best Runs Manager Elam Wangwero ensuring everything runs smoothly.

KATA Thika serves as the Kenyan base for the KATA global initiative — combining athletics, farming, and community. It is owned by Director and Founder Bob Anderson and his wife Catherine Anderson, whose vision continues to inspire athletes across the world.

How It All Began

The idea for KATA was first discussed in 2014, when Bob, Catherine, and Elam staged a Double Road Race in Thika. What began as a conversation about promoting running and community soon evolved into a full-fledged academy — a place where runners from Kenya and beyond could train, live, and grow together.

Bob Anderson’s lifetime dedication to running laid the foundation for KATA’s philosophy. As the founder of Runner’s World magazine, which he started at age 17 in 1966, Bob helped inspire a global running movement. Over his remarkable career, he has run thousands of miles, directed international races, and built programs that connect runners from every level. Bob started running in 1962, has run 11 marathons including Boston, New York and Honolulu and has run over 1000 races around the world.  Together with Catherine, he brought that same passion to Kenya — blending authentic Kenyan training with hospitality and cultural exchange.

Train, Eat, and Live Like a Kenyan

Since opening, athletes from around the world — men, women, couples, and groups of all abilities — have come to Thika to Train the Kenyan Way. Every guest experiences the same rhythm that shapes Kenya’s great distance runners: morning runs, core work, rest, healthy Kenyan meals, and afternoon sessions led by world-class coaches.

You’ll train alongside elite athletes, sharing the same trails and learning from their discipline and spirit, all while moving at your own pace and comfort level.

All-Inclusive Guest Experience

Whether you stay for a few days or several months, KATA offers weekly all-inclusive packages designed to make your experience effortless:

• Airport pickup and return

• Private room with bath

• All meals (Kenyan runner’s diet)

• World-class training program

All of this for just $375 USD per week per person — an unmatched value for the opportunity to immerse yourself in the daily life of Kenyan champions.

Come discover why KATA Thika is where running dreams take root.
Book your stay today — and Train the Kenyan Way.

Book your stay: https://katarunningretreat.com/