自1960年以来肯尼亚在长跑项目上的能力已经被世界所公认。可是直到七十年代我们还没有听到肯尼亚在中长跑项目上有什么突出的成绩。然而在美国有几位运动员象Ngeno、Musgodi、Rono开始崭露头角,显示出了他们作为长跑选手的才能。一九八一年肯尼亚第一次参加了世界越野锦标赛,当时他们全队取得了团体第三名的成绩。在以后的三年里该队取得了一次第三名和两次第四名。一九八五年肯尼亚又前进了一步,取得了第二名的好成绩。一年以后一九八六年在瑞士以John Nangi为首的肯尼亚队首次夺得冠军,John Nangi The ability of Kenya to run a long distance project has been recognized by the world since 1960. However, it was not until the 1970s that we have not heard any outstanding achievements from the middle-distance race in Kenya. However, in the United States there are several athletes like Ngeno, Musgodi, Rono starting to emerge, showing their talent as a long distance runner. For the first time in 1981, Kenya took part in the cross-country championship, when their team achieved third place in the group. In the next three years the team won a third place and two fourth places. In 1985, Kenya took another step forward and achieved second place. A year later, in 1986, Kenya, led by John Nangi in Switzerland, won the championship for the first time. John Nangi