U.S. Distance Running Standout, Nico Young, Secures First National Championship Title
Nico Young Shines at USATF Outdoor Championships and Sets American Record
Nico Young, an American distance runner, has made a significant impact in the world of long-distance track events. At the 2025 USATF Outdoor Championships, Young made history by becoming the first publicly out gay man to win a U.S. distance running national title.
In the men's 10,000-meter race, Young outshone his competitors, including 2024 Olympic medalist Grant Fisher, with a dramatic finish to secure his first national title. He clocked an impressive time of 29:02.12, while Fisher finished in second place. Graham Blanks completed the podium, finishing in third.
Young's victory was not a one-off event. He also placed third in the 5,000 meters with a time of 13:27.05, securing spots on Team USA for the World Athletics Championships in both events.
The 10,000-meter race victory was not just a triumph for Young, but also a testament to his ability to compete against the best in the world. In Oslo, Norway, he won the men's 5,000 meters at the Oslo Diamond League, setting the American outdoor record with a time of 12:45.27, which is the second-fastest U.S. time in history at the distance.
Young's confidence is high going into the world championships, and he might focus on the 5,000 meters despite holding the world standard in both the 5K and 10K. His performance in Oslo, where he competed against a field of Ethiopians and Europeans, suggests that he can indeed compete at the highest level.
In the final stages of the 10,000-meter race at the USATF Outdoor Championships, Young covered the final 1,600 meters in 3:57.05, including a final 400 meters in 56.54. Fisher's final quarter lap was 57.33, and Blanks completed his final lap in 58.45. Woody Kincaid finished eighth overall in the men's 10K final.
Young's career trajectory is impressive. His historic high school career at Newbury Park saw him win a high school national championship at Nike Cross Nationals. At Northern Arizona University, he won two national titles and had three All-American performances in cross country, including two top 10 finishes.
Recently, Young took on a top field at Grand Slam Track Philadelphia over 3,000 meters and emerged victorious with a time of 8:01.03. With his exceptional performances and unwavering determination, Nico Young continues to make waves in the world of distance running.
Nico Young's victory at the 2025 USATF Outdoor Championships in the men's 10,000-meter race, where he outperformed athletes like Grant Fisher, can be considered a significant milestone in sports and the world championships, as Young is the first publicly out gay man to win a U.S. distance running national title.
This successful performance in the USATF Outdoor Championships qualified Young for both the 5,000 meters and the 10,000 meters at the World Athletics Championships, further emphasizing the impact of sports on a global stage.
