By: Rachel Liao
One afternoon in May in his hometown of Kiptaragon, Kenya, Henry Rono reflected on his past while sipping a mug of tea. His life has been filled with many accomplishments, despite addiction struggles.
Rono was never a runner who received Olympic glory, even in the 1976 Games or the 1980 Summer Games. However, his 1987 season was one of the most remarkable ones of his career and the entirety of track history.
Age the age of 26, he set world records in four track events: the 3,000 meters, 5,000 meters, 10,000 meters, and 3,000 meters steeplechase. This was a feat achieved by no one, even till this day.
Although these records gained him fame, he believes his greatest achievement is having mastered the English language and working in education.
In his track days, his life was considered as remarkable as a “Forrest Gump style” adventure. However, his athletic career took a sharp turn when he became addicted to drugs while traveling every corner of the United States.
“I’m a recovering alcoholic but I’ve been sober for the last seven years. I believe I’ve recovered my dignity and my place in society,” said Rono. After overcoming addiction, he began working as a teacher in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Today, he returns to Kiptaragon, Kenya, a place he calls home, welcomed by the trees and flowers that he grew up with. Expecting a successful career as a coach, he was then disappointed to find out that the spots were unavailable.
Running is what opened his path of success and opened a vast world beyond Kiptaragon village.
He decided to take an unexpected route back home, to relax and reflect, instead of travelling and proceeding to dominate in his career as a track star but leaves no regrets.
“I’ve been to the top of the highest mountain and then down to the bottom of the world. Looking back now, I can remember what happened in 1978 but then the next eight years are more-or-less a blank,” he reflected calmly.
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