Graham Blanks

Blanks in 2024
Personal information
Nationality	American
Born	(2002-04-24)April 24, 2002 (age 23)[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

Graham Blanks (born April 24, 2002) is an Americanlong-distance runner. A two-timeNCAA champion and Olympian, Blanks ran in themen's 5000m at the2024 Olympics, finishing in 9th place in the final with a time of 13:18.67.

Blanks attendedAthens Academy inAthens, Georgia. In addition to running Blanks also played soccer, co-founded the environmental club, and was a part ofModel 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 2019GHSA 3200 state champion.^[2][3]

As a sophomore at Harvard, Blanks finished 6th at the2022 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships. In spring 2023, he won theIvy League titles in the indoormile and3000 meters, as well as in the outdoor5000 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 theNCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships.^[5] He won the2023 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships in November 2023, making him the first male runner from anIvy League school to win the race.^[6] Two weeks later, he set thecollegiate record for the indoor5000 meters, running 13:03.78 inBoston.^[7][8]

At the end of 2023, Blanks signed anNIL deal withNew Balance.^[9]

On July 7, 2024, Blanks qualified for the2024 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 theBislett Games, Blanks ran a personal best of 12:48.20 in the 5000 meters.^[14]

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)

• Graham Blanks atWorld Athletics
• Graham Blanks atwww.USATF.org
• Graham Blanks atTeam USA
• Graham Blanks atOlympics.com

• 2002 births
• Living people
• American men long-distance runners
• Harvard Crimson men's track and field athletes
• Harvard Crimson men's cross country runners
• Sportspeople from Athens, Georgia
• Track and field athletes from Georgia (U.S. state)
• Athletes (track and field) at the 2024 Summer Olympics
• 21st-century American sportsmen
• Olympic track and field athletes for the United States
• World Athletics Championships athletes for the United States

• Pages containing links to subscription-only content
• Tilastopaja template for male athlete
• Articles with short description
• Short description is different from Wikidata
• Use mdy dates from February 2024
• Team USA template using new ID