The sport of running lost another legend.
Henry Rono, a legendary runner from Kenya passed away on Wednesday, Athletics Kenya announced. He was 72.
“Athletics Kenya is saddened to announce and notify the public of the demise of former athlete Mr. Henry Rono which occurred today at 10:30 a.m.,” the Athletics Kenya communications team said in the official press release. “He had been hospitalized at the Nairobi South Hospital for the past 10 days.”
Rono attended Washington State University and had a legendary collegiate career as a member of the Cougars track and field and cross-country programs. As a sophomore at WSU, he broke four world records in 81 days (3000m, 5000m, 10,000m, 3000m steeplechase). He broke his own world record in the 5000m again in 1981.
He won three cross country national championships, and three track and field championships as well during his collegiate career. He did not get the opportunity to compete at the Olympic Games due to Kenya’s boycott of the 1976 and 1980 Olympic Games.
