Upcoming Documentary: Hill Iten

In the heart of Kenya,

an Irish pastor teaches his athletes something more important

than running: how to change their lives.

A moving story of faith, solidarity,

and the dream that turned a small village into a global track symbol

At an altitude of 2,500 meters, on the legendary “Tenth Hill” of Kenya’s Kerio Valley, an Irish pastor with no coaching experience is about to change the history of global athletics forever. Brother Colm O’Connell transforms the once-unknown Iten into a cradle of Olympians, shaping not only champions but visionaries.

On the tenth hill of Kerio Valley lies Iten, the small Kenyan village that became the world capital of long-distance running. It all started with an Irish pastor, Brother Colm O’Connell, who, despite having no prior experience in track and field, transformed a small school, St. Patrick’s, into a nursery of Olympic champions.

BelleArte’s upcoming documentary “Hill Iten” explores Brother O’Connell’s incredible journey and how a 10,000-meter final in Athens in 1986 marked the first chapter of an athletic revolution. Today, Iten attracts athletes from around the world, remaining the ultimate training hub for champions.

Through captivating interviews and cinematic footage from the heart of Iten, “Hill Iten” highlights the deeply human dimension of sports. It is not just a story of victories and gold medals but a journey that reveals the power of education, solidarity, and the vision of one man who didn’t just teach running—he changed lives and shaped the future of Kenyan athletics. “Be a good person before you become a good athlete,” he often tells his athletes. Perhaps this is the greatest secret behind their historic victories.

Brother O’Connell: “In 1986, we went to Athens for the World Junior Championships, and they wanted to hold a final on the first night because all the major track and field officials were present. The President, the General Secretaries—they were all there for the opening night. So, they decided to hold a 10,000-meter boys’ final on that first night. We had a young athlete from St. Patrick’s, Peter Chumba, who won the gold medal in the 10,000 meters. This was the first gold medal ever won at a World Junior Championship, and it was claimed by a boy from St. Patrick’s. Moreover, he won running barefoot, without shoes.”

BelleArte’s upcoming documentary meets Irish pastor Brother Colm O’Connell in Iten, Kenya, at an altitude of 2,500 meters, where the tenth hill of the Kerio Valley is located. Iten was first mentioned in historical records in 1883 by Joseph Thomson, a British biologist and explorer known for his extensive travels and research in Africa. As he documented the various geological formations of the Kerio Valley, he named this area “Hill Ten” because it was the tenth formation he recorded in the region.

Until the early 1980s, Iten was relatively unknown, even to most Kenyans. However, due to its altitude, it attracted long-distance runners, who at the time were mostly amateurs. Brother O’Connell noticed this when he decided to settle in St. Patrick’s parish. Initially a geography teacher at the school, he eventually became a track and field coach, achieving worldwide success and mentoring numerous Olympic champions.

In December 2024, we met Brother O’Connell at St. Patrick’s School and training center in Iten, where he shared how it all began. Today, Iten is recognized as a global training hub, attracting track and field athletes from all over the world. As he himself says: “It all started in Athens at the World Junior Championships,” where the first medals were won, putting his training center on the international map!

It is no coincidence that Kenya ranks among the top nations in track and field medals worldwide—and it all started here, with Brother O’Connell! To this day, he counts dozens of gold medals, numerous Olympic champions, and major achievements. He was also the pioneer who opened the door for Kenyan women in athletics—something that once seemed unimaginable! Now a renowned figure, Brother O’Connell has become a symbol for many athletes, and his training center remains a magnet for young people aspiring to excel in track and field.

Beyond sports, he has helped many underprivileged children and families, transforming Iten from a small village consisting of a few huts into a town of nearly 50,000 people, many of whom dream of competing in the world’s greatest races! It is no coincidence that Kenya is the second-leading country globally in track and field medals—and it all started here, with Brother O’Connell!

During our visit to St. Patrick’s, we also met San from South Korea, Arthur from Australia, Charlie from Switzerland, George and Dimitris from Greece, and many other athletes who travel to Kenya to train with some of the biggest names in track and field. They spoke to us about the natural sense of running that defines Kenyan runners and their incredible ability to manage pain and fatigue.

All of these athletes, coming from different corners of the world, have found in Iten something more than just a training center. Iten has become a place of inspiration and community for them, where they not only develop their athletic skills but also connect with the unique culture and rhythms of the area. Iten is not just a place to train; it is a place where athletes discover the strength they need to push their limits and achieve their greatest goals, combining external dedication with their inner strength.