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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.

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

Indoor

References

  1. ^ Graham Blanks at Tilastopaja (subscription required)
  2. ^ “ATHENS ACADEMY STUDENT-ATHLETE NAMED GATORADE GEORGIA BOYS CROSS COUNTRY RUNNER OF THE YEAR” (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.
  14. ^ LetsRun.com (June 12, 2025). “Nico Young Runs 12:45.27 to Earn Historic 5,000m Win at Oslo Diamond League”. LetsRun.com. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  15. ^ “Grand Slam Track Results”. Grand Slam Track. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
  16. ^ “Boston University Last Chance 3000 Meters Collegiate”. athletic.net. March 2, 2025.
  17. ^ Graham Blanks Runs FAST World No. 5 Time In 3k at The 2025 Last Chance Qualifier at BU. March 3, 2025. Event occurs at 7:40 – via YouTube.