Rono, who from an athletics perspective must definitely be considered one of the great personalities of the 70s, died on Thursday morning, after being hospitalized in the capital Nairobi for a week and a half.
In 1978 he had his best season and was responsible for a record rush the world of athletics has hardly experienced the likes of.
In the space of 81 days, he set four world records at four distances, all of which ended at Bislett Stadium where he improved the 3000 meters record to 7:32.1, a record that stood until 1989.
- With a stronger opening, I think I can run the distance down to 7.29, he said after the race.
But that didn't happen. Instead, he improved the world record for 5000 meters to 13:06.20 in Knarvik in 1981.
It was the last world record for the athlete who became Bislett's first African record setter.
