Graham Blanks
American runner (born 2002)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Graham Blanks (born April 24, 2002) is an American long-distance runner. 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.
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Blanks in 2024 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | American |
| Born | April 24, 2002[1] |
| Home town | Athens, Georgia |
| Education | Athens Academy |
| Alma mater | Harvard University |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) |
| Sport | |
| Sport | Athletics |
Event | Long-distance running |
| College team | Harvard Crimson |
High school career
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, he was a four-time All-State honoree, and a two-time 1A private state champion. In track, he was a three-time All-State honoree and the 2019 GHSA 3200 state champion.[2][3]
NCAA career
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 he 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, he 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, he announced that he would forego the rest of his NCAA eligibility, and signed a professional contract with New Balance.[13]
On June 12, 2025, at the Bislett Games, Blanks ran a personal best of 12:48.20 in the 5000 meters.[14]
Professional career
Circuit performances
| Grand Slam Track results[15] | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slam | Race group | Event | Pl. | Time | Prize money |
| 2025 Philadelphia Slam | Long distance | 3000 m | 5th | 8:03.22 | US$10,000 |
Personal bests
Outdoor
- 1500 metres – 3:44.08 (New York 2021)
- 5000 metres – 12:48.20 (Oslo 2025)
- 10,000 metres – 26:57.30 (San Juan Capistrano 2025)
Indoor
- 1500 metres – 3:36.11 (Boston 2025)
- Mile – 3:56.63 (Boston 2023)
- 3000 metres – 7:29.72 (Boston 2025)[16][17]
- 5000 metres – 12:59.89 (Boston 2024)
