Henry Rono: Kenyan athlete who took 6 years to walk before breaking 4 world records in 3 months

By Tony Kipkorir

Kenyan runners are famous all over the globe for their consistency, hard work and their winning spirit.

Some like Eliud Kipchoge have inspired millions of individuals across the globe through their humility and discipline.

Others like David Rudisha, the late Samuel Wanjiru and Pamela Jelimo left huge marks in the sport for the short time they competed. 

Recently, the universe witnessed Faith Kipyegon Chepngetich smash several world records within a month.

However, this is not the first time that Kenyan runners have shaken the world with their performances on the track.

Before the likes of Kipyegon, there was a man named Henry Rono, who achieved incredible feats in athletics.

Rono, who hails from Kapsabet, Nandi County, broke four world records in a space of 81 days, in 1978. 

Similar to most Kenyan runners, the journey of this man who dared to dream was not without obstacles to overcome.

From a young age, in Kiptaragon, a small village in the heart of Nandi, Rono was faced with numerous challenges. 

The athlete who was inspired by Kipchoge Keino had a bicycle accident which made him unable to walk until the age of six.

At the same period, his dad perished in a tractor accident, leaving Rono in the care of his mother who struggled to make ends meet including paying school fees.

Like any other warrior, the multiple Commonwealth Games gold medalist did not give up despite being faced with problems left, center and right.

He trained hard and was signed by the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) where he continued to nurture his talent until he eventually got a lifetime opportunity to represent the nation.

Rono earned a ticket to represent Kenya in the 1978 Olympic Games, however he could not fly to Montreal, Canada since the country boycotted the event. 

In April that year, Rono announced himself to the athletics world when he produced a scintillating performance to break the 5,000m world record in an event held in the United States.

He achieved his second world record on Saturday May 13, clocking 8:05.04 in the 3000m Steeplechase race to lower the previous mark of 8:08.02 set by Swedish runner Anders Garderud two years earlier.

A few weeks later, the man who won two gold medals at the All Africa Games crossed the finish line in 27:22.4 to break the previous 10,000m world record held by compatriot Samson Kimobwa. 

Rono completed his record-breaking show on Tuesday June 27, clocking 7:32.1 to lower Brendan Foster’s world mile mark at the Bislett Games in Oslo, Norway.

American writer Jonathan Rosen described Rono’s world record spree as unmatched in a New York Times article.

“Rono didn’t simply break four world records [at 5000m, the 3000m steeplechase, 10,000m and 3000m]. He obliterated them in low-key meets with little competition, on a diet of cheeseburger and Budweiser [other refreshments were, of course, available at the time, as they are now].

His stride wasn’t the most graceful. But his willpower and barrel-chested force were unmatched.” part of his statement read.

The life of Rono, who received the Inspiration Award in 2008, took a left turn three years after breaking the world records.

Alcoholism made him poor - he became homeless and sometimes was forced to survive on menial jobs.