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Graham Blanks

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Graham Blanks
Personal information
NationalityAmerican
Born (2002-04-24) April 24, 2002 (age 22)[1]
Home townAthens, Georgia
EducationAthens Academy
Height5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Sport
SportAthletics
EventLong-distance running
College teamHarvard 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.

NCAA career

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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.[2] 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.[3] 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.[4] Two weeks later, he set the collegiate record for the indoor 5000 meters, running 13:03.78 in Boston.[5][6]

At the end of 2023, Blanks signed an NIL deal with New Balance.[7]

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.[8] 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.[9]

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.[10] Two days later, Blanks announced that he would forego the rest of his NCAA eligibility and signed a professional contract with New Balance.[11]

Personal bests

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Outdoor

Indoor

References

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  1. ^ Graham Blanks at Tilastopaja (registration required)
  2. ^ "Going the Distance: Graham Blanks, Male Performance of the Year". thecrimson.com. Harvard University. May 25, 2023. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
  3. ^ "Results: Men 5000 M (Final)". Flash Results. June 11, 2022.
  4. ^ MacDonald, Miller (November 23, 2023). "Harvard's Graham Blanks Wins History-Making National Title at NCAA Cross Country National Championships". thecrimson.com. Harvard University. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
  5. ^ Graham Blanks at World Athletics
  6. ^ Track & Field Produces Historic Indoor Opening Day, Blanks Breaks NCAA 5000m Record Harvard Crimson
  7. ^ Chavez, Chris (December 30, 2023). "NCAA Champion Graham Blanks Signs NIL Deal With New Balan". Citius Mag. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  8. ^ "Graham Blanks' Olympic Debut: In His Own Words | Sports | The Harvard Crimson". www.thecrimson.com. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  9. ^ "Blanks Wins Second National Championship as Harvard Enjoys Successful Day at NCAA Cross Country Championships". Harvard. November 23, 2024. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
  10. ^ LetsRun.com (December 7, 2024). "Graham Blanks Runs 12:59 5K at BU as Doris Lemngole (14:52) Breaks NCAA Indoor 5K Record". LetsRun.com. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
  11. ^ Chavez, Chris (December 9, 2024). "Two-Time NCAA XC Champion Graham Blanks Turns Pro And Signs With New Balance". Citius Mag. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
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