Track

Henry Rono running for Washington State University

Summer 2024

Video: Henry Rono on the move

Henry Rono was one of the greatest athletes to run at Washington State University.

A record-breaking runner in multiple distances and events, Rono (’81 Gen. Stu., ’83 Psych.) died February 15, 2024, in Nairobi, Kenya, at the age of 72.

Watch some of his amazing runs below and read more about the Kenyan star.

Henry Rono’s Greatest Year In Athletics

Video Running BroScientist

Henry Rono 3000 m Steeplechase, 1978 Commonwealth Games

Video AthletixStuffChannel

Henry Rono 3000 Metres World Record 27th June 1978

Video Prentis Hancock

Henry Rono 10000m 1981,Brussels

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Kenya Mourns the Passing of World Champion Henry Rono

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Spring 2019

Legendary Washington State University track coach and alumnus John Chaplin led the most successful athletics program in school history, with multiple Olympians and an NCAA championship, but never lost his priority of students' education. » More ...

Spring 2018

Running up the competition

If you want the facts about track and field records, ask a statistics junkie like E. Garry Hill ’69. But he might throw you with another fact, this one culled from long experience as editor of Track & Field News, announcer at the Olympics and World championships, and expert on the sport: Track and field as a spectator sport is struggling mightily.

Rows and rows of empty seats faced runners and field athletes competing at the Rio Olympics. And where can you watch big track events on TV? Hill calls it like he sees it, and he’s seen a lot since he competed for Washington … » More …

Spring 2018

WSU Track & Field favorites

I didn’t realize until I compiled this favorite-moments list just how much the dictum of “no cheering in the pressbox” has come to dominate how I watch/enjoy the sport. Unfortunately, I’ve done a good job—too good, in fact—of learning how to be dispassionate. It makes me a better journalist and broadcaster, but it saps some of the vitality out of being a fan. So as you’ll see, my list is very much front-loaded.

Chronologically, these self-centered moments stick with me (noting that I’ve restricted individuals to a single appearance apiece, or it would run the risk of being all Gerry Lindgren and Henry Rono):

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