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Two of Henry Rono’s former colleagues the Washington State University have advocated for a statue of the fallen legendary Kenyan athlete to be erected in the campus.
Two former colleagues of Henry Rono have advocated for Henry Rono to be immortalized at the Washington State University.
Rono’s former teammate Phil English and coach John Chaplin have spoken highly of Rono, the first and only athlete to shatter four different records in 81 days.
On Thursday, Rono passed away at a Nairobi hospital, where he had been hospitalized for 10 days due to an undisclosed illness, just three days past his 72nd birthday.
Born in Kiptaragon, a village in Kenya's Nandi Hills, Rono faced financial struggles after his father's death, starting competitive running earnestly at age 19.
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13:30 - 15.02.2024
ATHLETICS Former steeplechase record holder Henry Rono dies in Kenya
Kenyan track legend Henry Rono, famed for setting four world records, has passed away at 72 in Nairobi, leaving a lasting legacy.
Despite setbacks like the 1976 Kenyan Olympic team's withdrawal, Rono found his way to WSU, prompted by a call from Kenyan athletes John and Kipng’eno to Chaplin wondering if Chaplin was interested in having a “third steeplechaser” (Rono), which eventually won him the athletics scholarship at the campus
“ Are you kidding?’ ” Chaplin said after being asked whether he was interested in Rono as quoted in the Seattle Times.
“ ‘Of course I would.’ It was not exactly a recruiting coup on my part.”
Rono put on the WSU singlet for the first time that October in a low-key cross country dual in Missoula – and promptly knocked 35 seconds off the 4-mile course record teammate Joshua Kimeto had set two years before.
Rono's WSU legacy includes three NCAA cross-country titles, two indoor track titles (notably the 2-mile in 1977 during WSU's lone national championship), and steeplechase titles outdoors in 1978 and 1979. A six-time All-American, he set seven collegiate records, with seven school records still standing.
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15:33 - 15.02.2024
ATHLETICS How four world records in 81 days cemented Henry Rono's legacy as an athletics icon
Henry Rono's legendary 81-day spree in 1978 shattered four world records in athletics, leaving an unmatched legacy in distance running.
The 72-year-old made an immediate impact on campus, winning his first NCAA championship in 1976 within three months of arrival.
This victory marked the beginning of a remarkable journey through track's record book, where he shattered world standards in four different races in less than 12 weeks.
“He was such a powerful guy – big barrel chest – and incredibly efficient,” English said.
“The incredible thing about those world records is the versatility it takes – the speed for the 3,000 and the skill of the steeple and then the far reaches of the 10,000. You just don’t see that kind of range.”
“At Washington State, he was surrounded by world-class athletes, but he already stood out in that crowd,” English said. “And then he went on to accomplish things that were incredible – and would be even by today’s standards.”
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11:32 - 18.02.2024
ATHLETICS Legendary runner Henry Rono's burial date and venue set
The burial dates and venue of legendary distance runner Henry Rono have been set as preparations for his send-off continue.
Rono became the first - and to this day only- human to ever set four world records all in the space of 81 days.
You see, his 1978 was unmatched and never has been in the history of distance running. All the four records he set were the 10,000 m (27:22.5), the 5000 m (13:08.4), the 3000 m steeplechase (8:05.4), and the 3000 m (7:32.1)
His remarkable accomplishments included breaking the 10,000m record by nearly eight seconds, the 5000m record by 4.5 seconds, the 3000m steeplechase record by 2.6 seconds, and the 3000m record by a full three seconds.
In August of that year, Rono added to his triumphs by securing gold medals in the 5000m and 3000m steeplechase at the Commonwealth Games in Edmonton, Canada.
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15:01 - 15.02.2024
ATHLETICS Rotterdam Marathon to honour Kelvin Kiptum who was set to be star attraction at this year’s race
Organisers of the Rotterdam Marathon have planned a special tribute for Kelvin Kiptum who was eyeing history in the Dutch city in April before his tragic death.
Among his notable performances was a stunning steeplechase/5000m double in a single day during the NCAA championships at the University of Oregon's Hayward Field in Eugene.
Setting meet records in both events, he clocked in at 8:18 for the steeplechase and 13:22 for the 5000m, shaving six seconds off the NCAA steeplechase record.
The following day, Rono continued his dominance by winning the steeplechase final in 8:12.39, breaking the steeplechase mark by another six seconds.
In July, he clinched gold medals in the 10,000m and 3000m steeplechase at the All-Africa Games.
Unfortunately, Rono never competed at the Olympics, Kenya boycotted two consecutive Olympics games in 1976 and 1980 as they were part of over 20 nations that withdrew from the Games in protest against New Zealand’s sporting links with apartheid South Africa.
By the time Kenya opted to return in 1984, Rono had quit running. However, it took 11 years for his 3000 m steeplechase world record (8:05.4) to be broken and, as of 2024, it still stands as the United States collegiate record.
He had been based in US where he was studying physical education at Washington State University.
His 10,000 meters world record remained the fastest time ever run by an NCAA athlete until Sam Chelanga's 27:08 in 2010 at the Payton Jordan invitational.
“That’s something,” said Chaplin on what he achieved in those 81 days, “I think you can safely say will never be done again.”
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