GRAHAM BLANKS TURNS PRO | Announces Signing With New Balance + Reflecting On His Harvard Career

“It’s time to move on to bigger adventures.”
Graham Blanks, the Harvard standout and two-time NCAA cross country champion joins Chris Chavez on The CITIUS MAG Podcast with the news about his decision to turn professional with New Balance. Just two days ago, Graham ran 12:59.89 for 5000 meters indoors, becoming only the second collegian in history to break 13 minutes indoors-a fitting way to cap off one of the most decorated collegiate careers in recent memory.
In this interview, we’ll reflect on Graham’s Harvard career to the global stage as a U.S. Olympian in the 5000m and his incredible cross country dominance over the past two years. We’ll also discuss his decision to return for one final collegiate cross country season, his plans to stay in Boston with coach Alex Gibby, and how he is thinking about balancing life as a new pro with finishing his degrees in economics and philosophy.
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[@xcbaby123]

Best distance runner from Georgia!

[@steveprefontaine9297]

cheeky Chavez stumped him with the shoe rotation question

[@AndrewGarai-c8p]

Go Graham! Definitely a fan, love your attitude and that you’re a runner-philosopher :)

[@WesleyChisum]

Go Dawgs!

[@thomasanderson9460]

sub 12.50 soon 5K

[@brianway4240]

I wish there was more discussion about the school's shoe

[@brianway4240]

Accidentally posted.
Anyway, Nike is the Harvard sponsor, but according to contract law (I think I got an A in it) you're not bound by that agreement unless you - literally, personally you - signed something.
Now, he seemed to say he certainly trained in NB but I thought he said he raced in NB spikes and even super road shoes once.
Apparently it is OK to wear shoes not approved by the school. I mean, there's no legal impediment to ignoring a contract between Nike and Harvard. He seemed to.
What do any of you that ran NCAA think about this? A lot of runners think you have to wear the official school shoe.
I just wish they had belabored that point more. I'm hoping some of you weigh in here.

[@thomasanderson9460]

all the hired hands in CC 2024 to take him down and still won-- wow