Former world record-holder in 3000, 5000, 3000 steeplechase and 10,000

Photo: Henry Rono is pictured running a 17:50 5K at the Carlsbad 5000, April 1, 2007.

April 26th - April 28th Hillsdale College hosts the Hillsdale College Gina Relays, one of the premier college track meets in the Midwest. On Friday night, April 27th, Henry Rono will be running a 5000m on the track. Rono was the former world recorder holder at the 3,000m, 3000m steeple, 5000m, and 10000m. He set all four of these WR in a span of 81 days in 1978. After Kenya boycotted the Olympics in '80, Rono battled demons off the track (alcohol and at times was homeless) and is now trying to come back at the age of 55 and set the masters world record in the mile.

One of Rono's good friends and training partner, Dr. Gary Wolfram, now teaches at Hillsdale College, and they will be reunited at the meet after having not seen each other for more than 25 years. Dr. Wolfram helped Henry get back on his feet and running again in 1981 and running again. Rono later went to Europe and set the WR in the 10000m again.

George Malley, who set an American Record (8:21.72) in the steeplechase in the summer of 1978, says of Henry Rono's 13:21.79 in the NCAA 5000 heats, "Those of us who saw it will always remember that we were lucky; we saw running become art. Over the years we've all heard many athletes declare themselves to be "artists". Rono never claimed anything; he just ran. But if ever there were a "performance artist" in our sport it was Rono. His performances were ephemeral."