Nairobi, Feb. 15 -- Kenya's legendary distance runner Henry Rono died on Thursday, barely three days after celebrating his 72nd birthday on Monday.

Rono, who made history after breaking four world records in less than three months in 1978, died on Thursday morning while undergoing treatment at a Nairobi hospital where he had been admitted for the last 10 days.

The peak of Rono's running career was during the 1978 season, where his achievement is unparalleled in the history of distance running.

Rono won gold medals in the 5,000m and 3,000m steeplechase at the 1978 Edmonton Commonwealth Games, as well as the 3,000m steeplechase and 10,000m at the 1978 Algiers African Games.

In only 81 days, Rono broke four world records in 10,000m (27:2...