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Henry Rono is arguably the most talented long distance runner Kenya has ever produced. And that is saying a lot considering how much talent Kenya has produced over the years.<\/p>\n
He was born in 1952 in Nandi hills.He had been running seriously since his days in primary school. In 1976 he was awarded a scholarship to run at Washington State University. He went on to win the NCAA cross country championships 3 times. His time of 28.07 minutes in the NCAA X country is still the fastest ever as of 2011.<\/p>\n
In the spring of 1978 he performed what is probably the greatest feat in the history of athletics. In a span of 81 days, he set four world records: the 10,000 meters (27:22.5), the 5,000 meters (13:08.4), the 3,000 meters steeplechase (8:05.4), and the 3,000 meters (7:32.1); an achievement unparalleled in the history of distance running. He lowered the 10,000 meter record by almost 8 seconds, the 5,000 by 4.5, the steeplechase by 2.6, and the 3,000 by a full three seconds.<\/p>\n
In the 1978 Commonwealth games, he won the 3000m steeplechase and the 5000m by huge margins. At the NCAA championships at the University of Oregon at Eugene’s Hayward Field he completed a steeplechase \/ 5000 m double in one day during qualifying . He set meet records in both events, turning in an 8:18 and 13:22. The former took 6 seconds off the NCAA meet record for the steeple. When he ran the steeplechase final the next day, he won in 8:12.39, taking another six seconds off the steeplechase mark. He also won 10,000 metres and 3000 metres steeplechase gold medals at the 1978 All-Africa Games<\/p>\n
Sadly he missed the 1976 Olympics due to the mass boycott. Kenya missed the 1980 Olympics due to an ill-advised boycott pushed by the United States.\u00a0 He was in his prime and was the best distance runner at the time. He was surely going to win a gold medal or two. The world missed a glorious opportunity to watch the greatest distance runner up to that point. It is said that participating in too many events in the demanding NCAA competitions ended his career early.<\/p>\n
At various points in his life, Rono has had problems with alcoholism. It is said that in September 1981, Rono got drunk the night before he was due to run a 5000m in Knarvik, near Oslo. The following day he ran for an hour in the morning to sweat out the alcohol and recover from the hangover and that night set a World record of 13:06.20. Rono would later blame his alcoholism on depression caused by missed opportunities especially the 1980 Olympics.<\/p>\n
In November of 2019, he returned to Kenya for the first time since 1986.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n \u201cI feel fresh like a new born baby. It has not been easy staying way for three decades, but, nevertheless, I was mentally and physically prepared for this moment. It\u2019s a long time for sure but I am happy to be back home,\u201d said Rono upon arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta Airport.<\/p>\n![](\"http:\/\/kenyapage.net\/athletics\/images\/henry-rono-return.jpg\")
Rono at JKIA when he came back home after a 33 year absence.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\t\t\t \n\t\t\t <\/div><\/div>\n\t\t