Nico Young ran 12:45.27 to win the 5,000m at the Bislett Games in Oslo on Thursday, setting a new American outdoor record and becoming just the third U.S. man to break 12:50. It was Young’s Diamond League debut, and he beat a field stacked with global elites.
Why it matters
This was more than a fast time: it was a statement. Young became the first American in nearly 50 years to win a European 5,000m while finishing within 10 seconds of the world record.
• His time is the fastest ever by an American outdoors, and trails only Grant Fisher’s indoor world record (12:44.09) on the U.S. all-conditions list.
• It also places him No. 2 all-time among Americans and firmly in the top tier of global distance runners.
What’s happening
Young entered the race with an outdoor personal best of 13:11.30. In Oslo, he ran 26 seconds faster and outkicked Ethiopia’s Biniam Mehary and Kuma Girma in the final 200 meters.
• Setup: Temperatures in the low 60s, packed stadium, and Wavelight pacing through 3K at 12:50 pace.
• Key move: Britain’s George Mills surged with 1K to go. Young sat in 4th at the bell and blasted the final lap in 60 seconds, with a sub-27 final 200m.
• Victory: Young held off Mehary (12:45.93) and Girma (12:46.41) to win by a step.
“This surprised me a little bit, but I’m really proud I managed to stay on pace all this time,” Young said. “The best is yet to come.”
By the numbers
U.S. all-time 5,000m list
• Grant Fisher: 12:44.09 I (Boston, 2025)
• Nico Young: 12:45.27 (Oslo, 2025)
• Graham Blanks: 12:48.20 (Oslo, 2025)
i = indoor performance
Oslo top finishers
- Nico Young (USA) – 12:45.27
- Biniam Mehary (ETH) – 12:45.93
- Kuma Girma (ETH) – 12:46.41
- Graham Blanks (USA) – 12:48.20
Zoom out
Young’s rapid rise has been methodical:
• 2024: First NCAA titles, Olympic debut (12th in 10,000m), pro contract with adidas.
• 2025: Opened with 12:51 indoors (post-injury), won 3,000m at Grand Slam Track, now owns American record.
He remains coached by Mike Smith, who told LetsRun.com:
“In 2024 we were still in the NCAA system which is unforgiving… I knew once we had control of the calendar it would provide the great enhancement to his peaking, which you will see this summer.”
What’s next
Young races again at the Paris Diamond League on June 20, ahead of the U.S. Championships on Aug. 3, where only three men can qualify for the 5,000m at Worlds in Tokyo.
Other top U.S. contenders:
• Grant Fisher (12:44.09)
• Graham Blanks (12:48.20)
• Cooper Teare (12:57.05)
• Cole Hocker (Olympic 1,500m champ)
• Abdihamid Nur, Parker Wolfe, Dylan Jacobs
This year’s U.S. 5,000m team may be the hardest to make in decades.
The bottom line
Nico Young is no longer a rising star—he’s one of the best in the world. And he’s only 22.
