13 Facts About Ben Blankenship

Ben Blankenship was born on December 15,1988 and is an American middle distance runner.

Ben Blankenship is a world record holder as a member of the 2015 USA Distance medley relay team, of which he ran the 1600-meter anchor leg.

Classmates from his elementary recall Blankenship to be the fastest runner at St Croix Catholic when running the mile run at the Old Athletic Field located near the elementary school.

At Stillwater Area High School, Ben Blankenship was the Minnesota State AA Champion at 1600 meters in both 2006 and 2007.

Ben Blankenship began his collegiate career at Mississippi State University.

In December 2011, his sacrum fractured from his training, and Ben Blankenship made a decision to quit running during his junior year at Minnesota.

Ben Blankenship subsequently moved to Washington, DC, where he lived for a year.

At the 2015 IAAF World Relays Ben Blankenship put the weight of his team on his shoulders at the end of the distance medley relay.

Ben Blankenship's even paced lack of aggression let the Australian team anchor by Collis Birmingham back into contention.

When Cheruiyot paid the price for his front running, Ben Blankenship passed the tiring Cheruiyot.

Ben Blankenship won the 2016 Medtronic TC 1 mile, setting a course record of 3:55.8 and taking home the USATF Road Mile title.

On July 10,2016, Ben Blankenship finished third in the 1500 meters finals at the 2016 United States Olympic Trials, qualifying him to compete in the 1500 meter race at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

In September 2017, Ben Blankenship set a record for the fastest 1 mile time in Alaska, achieving a time of 3:57.85.