Kenyan long-distance runner Henry Rono has died at the age of 72 at the Nairobi South Hospital, where he had been hospitalized for the past 10 days.
According to a statement released by Athletics Kenya, Rono died at around 10:30 a.m. on February 15, 2024.
“On behalf of the Athletics Kenya Executive Committee and the athletic fraternity, we wish to convey our sincere and heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and the entire athletic fraternity during this trying moment,” Athletics Kenya stated in the statement.
Rono was a Kenyan retired track and field athlete who specialised in various long-distance running events.
Rono made history by setting four world records in 81 days in 1978: 3000m, 3000m steeplechase, 5000m, and 10,000m.
His records in the 3000m and 3000m steeplechase stood for more than a decade.
He was born on February 12, 1952, in Kiptaragon, in Kenya’s Rift Valley, and joined the Kenyan Army in 1973.
Athletics Kenya did not provide the cause of death.
Rono’s death comes at a time when Kenya is still mourning the death of marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum, who died in a car crash on Sunday night.
