More than 120 professionally managed training camps dot the region, their numbers swelling annually to meet global demand. Each year, up to 500 elite athletes from Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, and beyond migrate to these highland sanctuaries, transforming rural trails into international runways.

For Xiao, now in her eighth consecutive year organizing high-altitude training in this Kenyan city, Eldoret's magic lies in its simplicity.

"The environment is clean and distraction-free. Athletes maintain stricter routines, focus better on training, and complete high-volume programs," she said.