About Us
Training Camps for Runners
We started out in 2010 as The Kenya Experience which grew into Running Trips Ltd and in 2020 we launched Training Focus Camps in the UK.
Kenya Experience was the first training camp to make Iten Kenya accessible to non-elite runners with coached guided training camps for runners of all abilities. Training Focus Camps is our new UK based venture, which brings our 10 years of experience and expertise in delivering training camps to the UK market. Our reputation is for high quality, attention to detail and customer service. We care about each and every runner we work with and we want to give you the best training camp experience possible.
By focusing on individuals and maintaining the highest coaching and customer service standards we develop better runners whilst providing entertaining and inspirational training camps.
Read independent reviews from our guests
Who are we?
Gavin & Lauren Smith – Directors & Co-Founders
We are a small family team based in Loughborough in the UK.
Gavin heads the team at Running Trips and is mainly office based from the Loughborough headquarters. Lauren works full time for England Swimming and acts in an advisory capacity for Running Trips as well as helping out on the camp weekends and sorting out any website or technical issues which go above Gavin’s head.
Gavin & Lauren founded Kenya Experience in 2010 and lived in Iten Kenya from early 2011 until 2014. As well as running the Kenya Experience (now part of Running Trips) Lauren was general manager of the High Altitude Training Centre, and Gavin was a coach with Global Sports Communication. At HATC Lauren hosted world-class athletes including national teams right through to enthusiastic amateurs and developed the skills necessary for creating the perfect training camp environment. Gavin was assistant coach to Renato Canova with athletes including Olympic Silver Medalist from London 2012 Abel Kirui and (now former) half marathon record holder Florence Kiplagat.
Gavin remains a competitive runner, competing in road running events with a best Half Marathon time of 68minutes. Lauren runs recreationally, usually with whippet Yego.
Staff on each camp
You can learn more about the staff for Kenya Experience and Training Focus Camps on the respective pages for those camps.
To meet the team who will be in attendance on your camp please visit the camp specific page