Henry Rono, “Nandi Warrior” who came from a small village in Africa, turned out to be the most talented runner of his generation. Though he had a successful carrier as an athlete, he later turned to drugs.
Over the course of 81 days in 1978, Rono set world records for the 3,000 meters, the 5,000 meters, the 10,000 meters, and the 3,000-meter steeplechase. Not every athlete can set four world records, and it was a feat accomplished by no athlete ever since. But to Rono, this was barely a significant accomplishment compared to the one that happened later; he learned to speak English.
“Running to me was second nature,” Rono said, “Education was my weakness.”
Henry’s early years were tragic, he was unable to walk until he was six years old, as a result of a bicycle accident. His father also passed from a tractor accident which caused the family to have severe financial difficulties. Rono was constantly going in and out of school, as his mom could barely pay the fees. At age 19, Rono finally finished second grade and got hooked on running.
His budding talent blossomed when he was recruited by the army, in which he mostly just trained all day. Rono’s chance came just before the 1976 Montreal Olympics. He was a significant threat to the 5,000-meter race and the 3,000-meter steeplechase, but this chance dissipated as the African government announced an 11-hour boycott, because the African Nations insisted the International Olympic Committee exclude New Zealand from the Olympics that year. After that, Rono beat four world records on a diet of cheeseburgers and Budweiser in small meets with little competition.
And that was the climax of Rono’s career as an athlete. Things were starting to fall apart after these golden moments. He started drinking regularly and frequently due to stress and other causes.
There were periods that looked more hopeful than others, too. For a little while when he settled in New Mexico he worked as a teacher and a coach. He helped train college athletes in the Navajo Nation and New Mexico.
Rono aged, and rent was becoming ever harder to pay. His village was calling for him. For the first time since he left more than forty years ago to become an athlete, he went back to his village.
To Henry Rono, running opened a window to a world beyond Kiptaragon Village.
Over the course of 81 days in 1978, Rono set world records for the 3,000 meters, the 5,000 meters, the 10,000 meters, and the 3,000-meter steeplechase. Not every athlete can set four world records, and it was a feat accomplished by no athlete ever since. But to Rono, this was barely a significant accomplishment compared to the one that happened later; he learned to speak English.
“Running to me was second nature,” Rono said, “Education was my weakness.”
Henry’s early years were tragic, he was unable to walk until he was six years old, as a result of a bicycle accident. His father also passed from a tractor accident which caused the family to have severe financial difficulties. Rono was constantly going in and out of school, as his mom could barely pay the fees. At age 19, Rono finally finished second grade and got hooked on running.
His budding talent blossomed when he was recruited by the army, in which he mostly just trained all day. Rono’s chance came just before the 1976 Montreal Olympics. He was a significant threat to the 5,000-meter race and the 3,000-meter steeplechase, but this chance dissipated as the African government announced an 11-hour boycott, because the African Nations insisted the International Olympic Committee exclude New Zealand from the Olympics that year. After that, Rono beat four world records on a diet of cheeseburgers and Budweiser in small meets with little competition.
And that was the climax of Rono’s career as an athlete. Things were starting to fall apart after these golden moments. He started drinking regularly and frequently due to stress and other causes.
There were periods that looked more hopeful than others, too. For a little while when he settled in New Mexico he worked as a teacher and a coach. He helped train college athletes in the Navajo Nation and New Mexico.
Rono aged, and rent was becoming ever harder to pay. His village was calling for him. For the first time since he left more than forty years ago to become an athlete, he went back to his village.
To Henry Rono, running opened a window to a world beyond Kiptaragon Village.
