Traditionally cattle herders, the Masai people themselves participate in the events, which take place on their lands. Their presence is a highlight for many of the foreign runners.

“It’s great to see the locals are here, the Masai. It’s wonderful to watch their traditional dances and see everybody coming together,” Hawkins said.

Kenyans hope events such as this will encourage even more tourists to come to their country.

Tourism is already Kenya’s second largest industry, after agriculture - bringing in millions of dollars every year.

Recent threats by the Somali terrorist organization al-Shabaab, and kidnappings of Westerners in northern Kenya, have some worried about a chilling effect on tourism. But race organizer John Conchella says terrorist threats are not discouraging participation.

“This marathon, for the first time, has received many people, to run, from the international community. It’s a time when the country is at war. So if it was really affecting international travels, I would have said we would have gotten none this time around. But I don’t think al-Shabaab has anything to do with our marathon,” Conchella said.

The runners seem to agree that the benefits outweigh the risks.

“I think everywhere, there’s danger everywhere. And this al-Shabaab thing, if you decide you’re going to stay in the house, you’re never going to do anything. So for me, it doesn’t make any difference,” participant Carol Magondu said.