Henry Rono

Henry Rono (born February 12, 1952 in Kapsabet) is a former Kenyan athlete.

Biography

Rono was born in Nandi Hills, Kenya, into the Nandi tribe. He started running while at primary school. Starting in 1977 he attended the Washington State University, along with his compatriot Samson Kimobwa, who broke the 10,000 meter world record in 1977. He was coached there by John Chaplin. More Kenyan runners would later enroll at the Washington State, including Bernard Lagat, Mike Kosgei, and Patrick Muturi. While at Washington State, Rono became only the third person in history (after Gerry Lindgren and Steve Prefontaine) to win the NCAA Men's Cross Country Championship three times, doing so in 1976, 1977, and 1979. He was also NCAA steeplechase champion in 1978 and 1979 and NCAA Indoor Champion in the 3000 meters in 1977.

The peak of Rono's running career was the 1978 season. In a span of only 81 days, he broke 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. Equally impressive were the large margins by which he reduced each record, lowering 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. In the same year he also won the 5000 m and the 3000 m steeplechase gold medals at the Commonwealth Games. Unfortunately, it is believed that there are no video recordings of any of his 1978 record-breaking races. Among his other notable performances was is steeplechase / 5000 m double in one day during qualifying at the NCAA championships at the University of Oregon at Eugene's Hayward Field. He set meet records in both events despite running both as those they were workouts, running 8:12.39 and 13:22. He won 10,000 metres and 3000 metres steeplechase gold medals at the 1978 All-Africa Games

Although he was never quite as dominant as he was in 1978, Rono continued to run and compete at the same high level for the next four years, running the world's fastest 5,000 meters and winning the NCAA cross country race in 1979, running one of history's fastest 10,000 meter races in 1980, having a strong year in the 5,000 meters with another world record in 1981, and running history's third fastest 5,000 meters as well as twice running under 27:30 to come within seconds of his world record for 10,000 meters in 1982. In the years following his triumphs in 1978, his success became more sporadic as it was hampered by a drinking problem and weight gain. In 1981, he ran several high quality 5,000 meter races, breaking his 5,000 m world record near the end of the summer season with a time of 13:06.20, reportedly after having spent the better part of the race day sobering up from a drinking binge on the night before. Rono would never get to compete at the Olympics, as his country boycotted both the 1976 and the 1980 Olympic Games and, by 1984, he was no longer competing.

The years after retirement have been particularly hard for Rono. Apart from struggling with alcoholism, he apparently mismanaged his earnings (he never had an agent or a financial adviser.) He was soon penniless and, in the 1990s, spent some time in a homeless shelter in Washington D.C.

Despite his relatively short career, Rono continues to be celebrated in athletic circles. His 3,000 m steeplechase world record (8:05.4) stood for 11 years, and, as of 2007, still stands as the NCAA record.

Today, Rono is a recovering alcoholic and is coaching high school athletics in Albuquerque, New Mexico and pursuing a graduate degree in special education. After turning 55 in February 2007, Rono is attempting to break the world masters mile record for the 55-59 age group. He also wrote his autobiography, entitled Olympic Dream, in 2007.

Personal best

*3000 Metres - 7:32.1 (1978)
*5000 Metres - 13:06.20 (1981)
*10,000 Metres 27:22.47 (1978)
*3000 Metres Steeplechase 8:05.4 (1978)

ee also

* List of Washington State University people

External links

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* [http://www.team-rono.com/ Henry Rono's Web Site: Team Rono]
* [http://www.authorhouse.com/BookStore/ItemDetail~bookid~45041.aspx Excerpt from Henry Rono's autobiography, "Olympic Dream"]
* [http://www.sporting-heroes.net/athletics-heroes/displayhero.asp?HeroID=957 Henry Rono at sporting-heroes.net]
* [http://users.erols.com/jimsue/running/pot_pourri/henry_rono.htm The storied career of Henry Rono]
* [http://www.itebooks.net/Book/millennium-sport-book/ If I close my eyes, I can still see him now, a lean figure leading the pack - long distance runner Henry Rono]
* [http://64.233.183.104/search?q=cache:51cmAB0PgaAJ:www.eastandard.net/sports/sport0101200301.htm+%22henry+rono%22+olympics&hl=en&client=firefox-a Henry Rono explains his encounter with coach Chaplin]
* [http://www.aroadrun.org/Half_Fast_Lane/1997/Henry_Rono_and_Me.pdf Henry Rono and Me] (PDF)
*The EastAfrican, May 6, 2002: [http://www.nationaudio.com/News/EastAfrican/13052002/Features/Magazine1.html From The Good Life To Car-Washing, Henry Rono Tasted it All]