Henry Rono?

Exactly Bernie Allen.

By the way, I think Henry ran about 24:30 for the 5 mile loop in very slippery conditions. Not bad for an out of shape guy.

Thanks.Excellent responces.I believe his story would make a great read/book.What do you think Chris Lear?

I was a member of the track and cross country team at a small college in Wisconsin in the late 1970's. My roommate was from Champaign, Illinois which of course was the home of the U of I and the legendary Craig Virgin. A big group of us from the team stayed at his folk's place and we were able to see the NCAA Outdoor track meet at the U of I. We saw an incredible 10,000 meter final with Virgin, Henry Rono and his Kenyan Washington State cohorts (Josh Kimento and Samson Kimombwa). I can't recall, but Salazar might have also been at Oregon at the time. It was one of the most exciting races I've ever witnessed, with Virgin pulling off the victory in front of the home crowd at Memorial Stadium!

I found the pictures. It was May 5, 1979 at Husky Stadium. I was able to get right on the track so have some decent shots. Five guys at the start of the stepple on a wet track. Does anyone remember a U of W guy who ran the steeple and won the 1500? Tall and built.

Who remembers Joel Cheruiyot? He ran the 5 with Henry.

Believe it or not, very few spectators to watch the greatest runner of his time.

Your right bay stater about cosmas ndeti.I am very good friends with him and his family.He was a client for a couple of years before retiring.He is a fine individual

and we talked about that situation in which he brought it

up as we were talking about lots of things.He just said if

i did not get involved with jesus christ i would be headed down the wrong road like other kenyans have.

Another piece of info. that nobody knows i thought i would share with you.When he broke the course record at boston in 1994 which still stands 2;0715.He told me he did no speed work at all.He was a head of his time.He also said in closing he was spent and totally shot

Whoa, wait a minute. NO SPEED WORK?

I seem to recall his stock workout being a hilly 20km number. I remember the story was that Alberto S. paid him $500 to wear either NIKE flats or a NIKE singlet the year he made his first big breakthrough at Boston.

He has heavy interest in schools in Kenya doesn't he? By that I mean supporting them and all.

He doesn't run anymore?

Bay stater...yes no speed..ala track work.his stock work every day is long and hard except sunday when he takes off.

Nike...was not to kind to him..can not get specific.sorry.

And yes he is a very generous person.

1980 (?) Cascade Run-Off in Portland..My brother had picked up my number and I couldnt find him 15 minutes before the start. I found my brother in the hotel restaurant having breakfast and I was going nuts about putting on my number in time to get to the start. Henry was sitting at the next table just sitting down to a HUGE breakfast even though he was supposed to be running.

Needless to say, I believe the race started a bit late (to my recollection) and Henry comes to the line with training shoes on. From what I recall he led for a while..then dropped out. I think it was his first road race..The rumor was that he asked if he should wear spikes. Amazing guy.

1500 master....Henry has no plans on racing right now but i am sure if he can get back in racing shape...Wach out.I bug him all the time about puting a program together and go for it.

Also, I saw a video of his 8"05 steeple record which I believe he set in a dual meet.(someone will correct me if Ive mis-spoken) ..and Im not kidding, anyone who watches this footage would agree he lost at least 10 seconds getting thru the water jumps. He literally waded out of some of them....

Would you mind elaborating about his steeplechasing? How was he over the other barriers? I'm only 18, but have read as much as I can about him as I can find and the more I read, the more I want to be like him. I run the 2000m Steeple and hope to successfully move up to the full distance in college, but feel I'm weak over the barriers.

Henry Rono wouldnt be the one to aspire to, in terms of technique. He was an amazing runner who happened to run the steeplechase (in my opinion). His form was just plain bad. If you want better form..look to the other Henry...Marsh.

I remember seeing Henry Rono win the Pac-8 XC championships at Stanford University during his first year at Washington State University. He kicked but on Alberto Salazar, Rudy Chappa, and everybody else.

I knew who all the elite distance runners were at the time (there weren't as many as there are now), but didn't know who Henry Rono was. Everybody was asking who is this guy?

I also saw him run a 5k at the Mt. Sac relays when he wasn't in shape. Suleiman Nyambui (a World class 5k runner from Tanzania) was sitting in the stands and giving him the business (At least ways he ran Suleiman, where were you?). That meet also had one of those fast 10ks Mt. Sac would have. Several guys running sub 28:00. Suleiman was giving some of his UTEP teammates that fell back the business. "Hey so and so (I can't remember the name), what kind of tactics are those?" He was a real card.

John DeHart wrote:

Henry is well and healthy and running every day.He is a full time middle school teacher and turning 53 on feb 12.

I have known henry for 19 years and talk with him every day

here in albuquerque where i run my coaching business.I to was in awe years ago.I first met him at the asbury park 10k

classic in new jersey where i lived at the time.We became friends and he came to live with me and train in montclair.

He ran 31;08 that day and the next day i took him over to central park ny with members of my club and we cranked out 24 miles 6 loops.Lots more great story's but don't have time now.

Thanks for the update, John!

HighSchooler-

I don't know anything about the steeple but I have 2 pictures of him: in the first, he has just hit the top of the steeple with his right foot with left arm straight out and right arm pushing down and out away from his body; the other is when he still has his right foot hanging over the front of the steeple pushing off with both arms away from his body. Right knee is bent and left knee is almost to his waist with a slightly bent torso.

Hope you can visualize th

Something happened with my computer. Should say "hope you can visualize this." Oh, by the way, he is going over the water barrier but you probably knew that.

Any relation to Elly Rono?

Schpiegs wrote:

I was a member of the track and cross country team at a small college in Wisconsin in the late 1970's. My roommate was from Champaign, Illinois which of course was the home of the U of I and the legendary Craig Virgin. A big group of us from the team stayed at his folk's place and we were able to see the NCAA Outdoor track meet at the U of I. We saw an incredible 10,000 meter final with Virgin, Henry Rono and his Kenyan Washington State cohorts (Josh Kimento and Samson Kimombwa). I can't recall, but Salazar might have also been at Oregon at the time. It was one of the most exciting races I've ever witnessed, with Virgin pulling off the victory in front of the home crowd at Memorial Stadium!

1977 NCAA Results Champlain, IL

5000

1. 13:38.14 Josh Kimeto WSU

2. 13:38.57 Samson Kimobwa WSU

3. 13:39.24 Tony Staynings WKU

4. 13:42.16 Craig Virgin IL

5. 13:43.82 Dave Taylor OR

6. 13:46.10 Ralph King UNC

10000

1. 28:10.27 Samson Kimobwa WSU

2. 28:22.48 Craig Virgin IL

3. 28:35.21 Kip Sirma UTEP

4. 28:36.82 Curt Alitz Army

5. 28:41.37 John Treacy Prov

6. 29:00.99 Richard Reid BYU

Brother? wrote:

Any relation to Elly Rono?

Is John Smith any relation to Tom, Dick or Harry Smith?