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Graham Blanks

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American runner (born 2002)

Graham Blanks
Blanks in 2024
Personal information
NationalityAmerican
Born (2002-04-24) April 24, 2002 (age 22)
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.

High school career

Blanks attended Athens Academy in Athens, Georgia. In attention 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.

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. 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. 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. Two weeks later, he set the collegiate record for the indoor 5000 meters, running 13:03.78 in Boston.

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

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. 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.

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

Personal bests

Outdoor

Indoor

References

  1. Graham Blanks at Tilastopaja (registration required)
  2. (PDF). Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  3. "Graham Blanks". gocrimson.com. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  4. "Going the Distance: Graham Blanks, Male Performance of the Year". thecrimson.com. Harvard University. May 25, 2023. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
  5. "Results: Men 5000 M (Final)". Flash Results. June 11, 2022.
  6. 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.
  7. Graham Blanks at World Athletics
  8. Track & Field Produces Historic Indoor Opening Day, Blanks Breaks NCAA 5000m Record Harvard Crimson
  9. Chavez, Chris (December 30, 2023). "NCAA Champion Graham Blanks Signs NIL Deal With New Balan". Citius Mag. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  10. "Graham Blanks' Olympic Debut: In His Own Words | Sports | The Harvard Crimson". www.thecrimson.com. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  11. "Blanks Wins Second National Championship as Harvard Enjoys Successful Day at NCAA Cross Country Championships". Harvard. November 23, 2024. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
  12. 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.
  13. 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.

External links

2024 USA Olympic track and field team
Qualification
Men's track
and road athletes
Men's field athletes
Women's track
and road athletes
Women's field athletes
Coaches
  • LaTanya Sheffield (women's head coach - Sprints/hurdles)
  • Stanley Redwine (men's head coach - Distance)
  • Delethea Quarles (women's Jumps/Multis)
  • Nic Petersen (men's Jumps/Multis)
  • Ashley Kovacs (women's Throws)
  • Gary Aldrich (men's Throws)
  • Amy Begley (women's Distance)
  • Michael Ford (men's Sprints/Hurdles)
  • Mike Marsh (men's Relays)
  • Michelle Freeman (women's Relays)
  • Danielle Siebert (women's Head Manager)
  • Manny Bautista (men's Head Manager)
  • Tim Weaver (Event Manager)
  • Demetria Davis (Event Manager)
Medical Staff
  • Monique Burton (Medical Doctor)
  • Amadeus Mason (Medical Doctor)
  • Asdrubal Lopez (Chiropractor)
  • Connie Hayes (Chiropractor)
  • Dustin Williams (Athletic Trainer)
  • Christie Coad (Athletic Trainer)
  • Jerrica Thomas (Physical Therapist)
  • Chris Margallo (Physical Therapist)
  • Harris Patel (Physician Assistant/Athletic Trainer)
  • Chris Yee (Licensed Massage Therapist)
  • Chris Thomas (Licensed Massage Therapist)
  • Ena Weinstein (Athletic Trainer/Licensed (Licensed Massage Therapist)
  • Chris Stanley (Sports Psychologist)
  • Sean McCann (Sports Psychologist)
  • Alicia Glass (Dietician)
  • Mackenzie White (Dietician)
  • Rikki Keen (Dietician)
  • Kiki Cruickshank (HPTC/CDFAS Medical Staff)
  • Brittany Garcia (HPTC/CDFAS Medical Staff)


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