Running, Henry Rono’s greatest sport, has taken the Kenyan athlete halfway across the world and back in an extraordinary adventure. His legendary track season and world records were his greatest achievements, yet he remained humble throughout it all. John Chaplin, a Washington State coach, would go on to say about him saying, “He never talked about the records. He was not someone to go around and beat his chest and say ‘how great I am.’” Looking back on his life, however, Rono thinks that his greatest achievement was not his running, but his mastery of English.
As a child, his father’s death by tractor accident had negatively impacted the family. Rono was unable to get a full education, and funds were tight throughout his household. By the time he finished 7th grade at the age of 19, he had discovered running. This talent was furthered when he was recruited by the army, where he was to train other recruits. He was even set to compete in the 1976 Olympics, but Kenya ended up boycotting the event.
At the time, American coaches were recruiting more and more Africans, and Rono became one of them. He came to Pullman, Washington, where John Chaplin would coach him.
However, what he struggled with the most was still his education. In his second year of training, Rono would have what many consider his peak. He had broken 4 world records—and by broken, we mean he absolutely destroyed them.
However, His brilliance started to fade as the years passed. Although he had a college degree and a contract with Nike, his alcohol consumption began to escalate. He would lose track of bank accounts, had cash stolen, and was lured into bad investments in the following years. He would continue to roam the United States, from Portland, Oregon to Salt Lake City, Utah drifting from rehab center to friends’ houses during this time.
During his decline, he still had some positives. In the 1990s, he found a job as a special education teacher and coach. Kris Houghton and Solomon Kandie, New Mexico runners, even described Rono as a “wise sage”.
Rono then decided to pick up his education again, taking classes in poetry and writing. Even if English was his third language, that didn’t stop him from writing a book. He would publish a memoir in 2010, titled, “Olympic Dream.”
However, as time passed, Rono’s homeland began to call. For the first time in almost 40 years, he returned to his hometown, eventually settling in his brother’s home. Disputes with family and friends had shattered his perfect return, but he still longed to return to coaching. As he retells his story today, he seems satisfied with his life. Running, his greatest talent, had brought him to a new world, where he also advanced his education and even published a memoir. Through even more running, he was brought back to Kenya, his homeland, where he is living out the rest of his years.
Article: https://s3.amazonaws.com/appforest_uf/f1657470344211x675123863612799400/Henry%20Rono’s%20Long%20Road%20Back%20Home%20-%20The%20New%20York%20Times.pdf
As a child, his father’s death by tractor accident had negatively impacted the family. Rono was unable to get a full education, and funds were tight throughout his household. By the time he finished 7th grade at the age of 19, he had discovered running. This talent was furthered when he was recruited by the army, where he was to train other recruits. He was even set to compete in the 1976 Olympics, but Kenya ended up boycotting the event.
At the time, American coaches were recruiting more and more Africans, and Rono became one of them. He came to Pullman, Washington, where John Chaplin would coach him.
However, what he struggled with the most was still his education. In his second year of training, Rono would have what many consider his peak. He had broken 4 world records—and by broken, we mean he absolutely destroyed them.
However, His brilliance started to fade as the years passed. Although he had a college degree and a contract with Nike, his alcohol consumption began to escalate. He would lose track of bank accounts, had cash stolen, and was lured into bad investments in the following years. He would continue to roam the United States, from Portland, Oregon to Salt Lake City, Utah drifting from rehab center to friends’ houses during this time.
During his decline, he still had some positives. In the 1990s, he found a job as a special education teacher and coach. Kris Houghton and Solomon Kandie, New Mexico runners, even described Rono as a “wise sage”.
Rono then decided to pick up his education again, taking classes in poetry and writing. Even if English was his third language, that didn’t stop him from writing a book. He would publish a memoir in 2010, titled, “Olympic Dream.”
However, as time passed, Rono’s homeland began to call. For the first time in almost 40 years, he returned to his hometown, eventually settling in his brother’s home. Disputes with family and friends had shattered his perfect return, but he still longed to return to coaching. As he retells his story today, he seems satisfied with his life. Running, his greatest talent, had brought him to a new world, where he also advanced his education and even published a memoir. Through even more running, he was brought back to Kenya, his homeland, where he is living out the rest of his years.
Article: https://s3.amazonaws.com/appforest_uf/f1657470344211x675123863612799400/Henry%20Rono’s%20Long%20Road%20Back%20Home%20-%20The%20New%20York%20Times.pdf
