Rono, Henry (1952-2024), was an outstanding runner who was born and raised in Kenya but had his greatest track and field success while living in the United States. In 1978, while attending Washington State University, Rono set four world records in 81 days. He established records in the 3,000-meter, 5,000-meter, and 10,000-meter races and the 3,000-meter steeplechase. (One meter equals about 3 1/4 feet.) A steeplechase is a cross-country footrace in which runners jump over hurdles and a ditch filled with water.
Rono was born on Feb. 12, 1952, in Kiptaragon, Kenya. He enrolled at Washington State University in 1976. While at the university, Rono won the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s cross-country championship in 1976, 1977, and 1979.
In 1978, while representing Kenya, Rono won gold medals in the 5,000-meter race and 3,000-meter steeplechase in the Commonwealth Games in Edmonton, Canada. Although he was one of the world’s finest runners, Rono never had a chance to compete in the Olympic Games. Kenya boycotted the games in 1976 and 1980, and Rono retired before the 1984 games.
Rono suffered from alcoholism in the late 1900’s and lived in poverty for a time. He recovered his health during the early 2000’s, coaching high school athletics in the United States. Rono wrote an autobiography, Olympic Dream (2007). He died on Feb. 15, 2024.
