 Blanks in 2024 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | American |
| Born | April 24, 2002 [1] |
| Home town | Athens, Georgia |
| Education | Athens Academy |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) |
| Sport | |
| Sport | Athletics |
| Event | Long-distance running |
| College team | Harvard Crimson |
Graham Blanks (born April 24, 2002) is an American long-distance runner who competes for the Harvard Crimson. A two-time NCAA Champion and Olympian, Blanks ran in the men's 5000m at the 2024 Olympics, finishing in 9th place in the final with a time of 13:18.67.
Blanks attended Athens Academy in Athens, Georgia. In addition to running Blanks also played soccer, co-founded the environmental club, and was a part of Model UN. In Cross Country Blanks was a four time All-State honoree, and a two time 1A Private state champion. In track Blanks was a three time All-State honoree and the 2019 GHSA 3200 state champion. [2] [3]
As a sophomore at Harvard, Blanks finished 6th at the 2022 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships. In spring 2023, he won the Ivy League titles in the indoor mile and 3000 meters, as well as in the outdoor 5000 meters. [4] He capped off the season with a second-place finish in the 5000 meters and sixth place in the 10,000 meters at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships. [5] He won the 2023 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships in November 2023, making him the first male runner from an Ivy League school to win the race. [6] Two weeks later, he set the collegiate record for the indoor 5000 meters, running 13:03.78 in Boston. [7] [8]
At the end of 2023, Blanks signed an NIL deal with New Balance. [9]
On July 7, 2024, Blanks qualified for the 2024 Summer Olympics in the Men's 5000-meter run. Although Blanks placed fourth at the U.S. Olympic Trials with a time of 13:12.61, the third-place finisher had not met the Olympic cutoff time of 13:05.00. [10] Blanks competed in the Olympic 5000m, and in the final finished 9th with a time of 13:18.67.
On November 23, 2024, Blanks won his second consecutive NCAA Division I Cross Country Championship, becoming the 13th men's athlete in NCAA history to do so. [11]
On December 7, 2024, in Boston, Blanks broke the 13 minute barrier in the indoor 5000 meters, running 12:59.89. This time placed him as second all-time on the NCAA list. [12] Two days later, Blanks announced that he would forego the rest of his NCAA eligibility and signed a professional contract with New Balance. [13]
Outdoor
Indoor
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