Although he never competed at the Olympics, Rono is remembered as one of the most prolific collegiate competitors in the history of track in the United States, as well as being the former record holder for the 3000 metres steeplechase for over a decade.

Starting in 1976, he attended college in the U.S. at Washington State University in Pullman, along with his compatriot Samson Kimobwa, who broke the 10,000 m world record in 1977.

[6] More Kenyan runners later enrolled at WSU, including Bernard Lagat, Mike Kosgei, Patrick Muturi, Richard Twuei, and Peter Koech, who won a silver medal in the 3,000 meters Steeplechase at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul.

While at Washington State, Rono became only the third runner in history (after Gerry Lindgren and Steve Prefontaine) to win the NCAA Cross Country Championship three times, in 1976, 1977, and 1979.

His 10,000 meters world record remained the fastest time ever run by an NCAA athlete until Sam Chelanga's 27:08 in 2010 at the Payton Jordan invitational.