The peak of Henry Rono's running career was 1978. In a span of eighty one days, he broke four world records. 10,000 m (27:22.5), the 5,000 metres (13:08.4), the 3,000 metres steeplechase (8:05.4), and the 3,000 metres (7:32.1); an achievement unparalleled in the history of distance running. He lowered the 10,000 metres 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.
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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.
Henry Rono died on 15th February 2024 aged 72.
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Men's 5,000m. Final.
Commonwealth Games 1978
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1. Henry RONO |
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KEN |
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13.23.0 |
2. Mike MUSYOKI |
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KEN |
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13.29.9 |
3. Brendan FOSTER |
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ENG |
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13.31.4 |
4. Mike McLEOD |
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ENG |
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13.33.2 |
5. Suleiman NYAMBUI |
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TAN |
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13.34.1 |
6. Nat MUIR |
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SCO |
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13.34.9 |
7. Tony SIMMONS |
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WAL |
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13.39.8 |
8. Rod DIXON |
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NZL |
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13.43.7 |
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Men's 3000m. Steeplechase Final.
Commonwealth Games 1978
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1. Henry RONO |
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KEN |
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8.26.5 |
2. James MUNYALA |
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KEN |
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8.32.2 |
3. Kip RONO |
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KEN |
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8.34.1 |
4. Euan ROBERTSON |
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NZL |
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8.41.3 |
5. Howard HEALEY |
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NZL |
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8.43.8 |
6. Dennis COATES |
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ENG |
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8.47.4 |
7. Tom STAYNINGS |
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ENG |
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8.48.9 |
8. Ian GILMOUR |
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SCO |
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8.49.7 |
Henry Rono is pictured above in the 3,000m steeplechase. Photo George Herringshaw.
© 1980. His 1978 3,000m steeplechase world record (8:05.4) stood for 11 years,