It was in 1976 that Rono immigrated to the United States on a scholarship to Washington State University, even though he spoke little English. His first world record in the 5,000 meters was set on April 9, 1978 at the modest Triangular College Meet at the University of California Edwards Field Track in Berkeley, and his 3,000 meter steeplechase record was set at the 200 accomplished in front of a human audience. Relay meeting held on May 13th at Husky Stadium in Seattle.
Less than a month later, on June 11th, he broke the 10,000m record on a relatively large stage in Vienna, this time using a pacemaker, and on June 27th, at the Bislett Games in Oslo, he broke the 10,000m record. beat the long distance run. Holds the 3,000m record.
It was also during this period that Rono won four gold medals: the 3,000m steeplechase and 10,000m at the All-African Games in Algeria, and the 3,000m steeplechase and 5,000m at the Commonwealth Games in Canada.
As Jonathan Rosen of the New York Times pointed out, he ran primarily on a “diet of cheeseburgers and Budweiser,” so perhaps no one, including Rono himself, knew how he reached such a peak. No one knew exactly what had happened. Still, he had a strong will and was able to win races by the scruff of his neck despite his shy and reserved nature.