The first tartan track outside the Kenyan capital of Nairobi opened Saturday with international star runners led by British double Olympics and world champion, Mo Farah, in Iten.

In a colourful ceremony, organizers of the London Marathon, whose financial grant to the Lornah Kiplagat Foundation made the project possible, also launched their elite men's field for the Apr. 13 World Marathon Majors race.

Farah adorned with traditional Maasai head gear together with Kenya's two-time Olympics and three-time steeplechase gold medallist, Ezekiel Kemboi, cut the tape that officially started use of the facility.

Then together with a group of local school children who will also benefit from the stadium named Lornah Kiplagat Sports Academy, the distance running stars ran a lap around the track where some will forge their quest for glory.

"I'm so delighted that this project is finally. We took the proposal to set up the academy to so many places, including our Government and it was London Marathon that answered. It took a lot of effort from my husband, Pieter Langerhorst and I to see it through.

"It will help create many champions not only from Kenya but from other countries as well," the Kenyan-born Dutch runner Kiplagat, the 2007 World Cross women's senior gold winner and thrice World Half champion stated.

"The combination of running at altitude, excellent rehabilitation facilities provided by British Athletics, and some of the best training partners in the world have made Iten the Mecca for distance runners.

"I'm sure the advent of this new track will further help our distance runners achieve their goals in future championships and improve their standards," London Marathon Race Director, Hugh Brasher, added on the project that will be key in improving the standards of British distance running.

"This project will not only help British athletes but the local community as well. I'm delighted to have been here to see it start since we need to ensure our athletes and those from here get the best possible training," women's marathon record holder, Paula Radcliffe, the 2000 World Cross women's champion and three-time London champion added.

"It took Lornah about four months to make this happen and we are very happy as athletes to have a proper track to train," Kemboi told.

He added: "This is a challenge to our Government to build such facilities. It has taken the effort of an athlete to bring a tartan track here (Iten) that will help us a lot since we don't need to travel to Nairobi."

Exciting Ethiopian debutant, Ibrahim Jeilan, from Ethiopia, the last man to beat the Farah on track, event course record holder, Emmanuel Mutai, New York champion, Geoffrey Mutai and 2012 Paris Marathon winner, Stanley Biwott were present for the launch of the elite men's field.

Defending London women's champion, Priscah Jeptoo, two-time world champion, Edna Kiplagat, Berlin champion, Florence Kiplagat, two-time London titleholder, Mary Keitany were present. Only the latter has not been confirmed to race on April 13.