Lame of him to run as an American in these less competitive races but not at USA’s or the Olympic trials . This was the USATF 10 mile championship.
Unless he’s switched allegiance and will from now on only compete for USA.
If he's a dual citizen he can run in either championship, although he can only represent one country.
Non citizens can run in USATF Championships, but don't displace US citizens. I'm English and have run and placed in several USATF Masters Championships, and I get a place award, but if I'm third, the first US citizen behind me also gets a third award.
But slap in the face is a bit harsh. Childhood dreams/goals change as people get older. I wouldn’t want to be held accountable for goals and things I said as a teenager.
I also wouldn’t want to be held accountable for goals and things said as a teenager, but my issue is that he was still saying in interviews after the Night of 10K PB’s in 2024 that it’s always been his dream and it would mean the world to represent Team GB.
He was a 22 year old Stanford Grad and pro runner at this point, not a naive teenager. If he was having doubts about his allegiance, I wish he would’ve just been more open and honest instead of leading the British fans on.
I reached out to Matt Sonnenfeldt who works for Flynn Sports, the agency that represents Charles Hicks.
He told me that Hicks is in the process of switching allegiance from GB to the US. Since Hicks has already represented GB internationally, he has to wait three years from his last competition. That would be the Euro U23 champs in July 2023. So they're hoping he will be eligible to run for the US in July 2026.
Since Hicks is already a US citizen and USATF member, he is eligible to compete in the USATF 10-mile championships and earn prize money. But he's not yet eligible to represent the US, so his mark doesn't count as an American record.
This actually makes me respect Hicks more. He is doing the opposite of what Parsons, Pappas, and others have done.
As someone said, he is as American as Apple Pie. He happened to be born in England because he dad was working there. He started running for the UK as junior before he was a top, top performer and was not a Olympic-spot grab.
In isolation, I would completely understand if he chose to run for the US based purely on his ties to the country.
My big issue with this is that he’s been saying in interviews for years “my dream since I’ve been a kid is to run at the Olympics for Team GB”.
If he feels such a lack of connection to the UK that he’d switch allegiance, he shouldn’t have led the British fans on for years. That’s what makes it sting.
There’s no way you’re actually that upset
Well yeah I’m not going to shed tears over it, but it’s just a bit annoying since Charles was my favourite runner and is the guy that got me into the sport.
The UK distance scene will be even weaker without him.
at least there's emile cairess for the marathon...
I was hoping, as an american, that charles would stay with the Brits and make some teams since I didn't think he had much of a chance to get teams with the U.S. side.
Also from the womens race - great result for Roe. Also nice result for Emma Grace Hurley. She is having a great season on the roads. Both beat O"Keefe.
He’d actually be a great candidate to train with Grant if he’s looking for more of a strength guy.
This is a massive slap in the face to the British fans that have been supporting him throughout his career
He’s been asked for years whether he’s considered switching to the US, and he’s always reassured the fans that he considers himself British and his dream he always been to represent Team GB at the Olympics. He’s been setting age-group records and was meant to be the future of British distance running.
He’s just quietly started representing the US without even mentioning the switch to his fans. It’s like he’s hoping we won’t even remember his former allegiance to the UK.
Given that he's "as American as apple pie", it's a little surprising he wanted to represent the UK in the first place. I had just assumed that one of his parents was British, but apparently not. How much of a bond does a 12-year-old form with their birth country anyway, especially when neither parent is of that country?
Nice. Smashes the previous UK record of Emile Cairess, which as 45:57. It equals Ian Stewart's unratified record (which was a World Record at the time) from 1977.
It's also well under sub-60 HM pace. Hopefully he's coming into form.
I've just seen that he's registered as an American on the live tracking website. Anyone know if that's a mistake or has he switched allegiance?
Nice. Smashes the previous UK record of Emile Cairess, which as 45:57. It equals Ian Stewart's unratified record (which was a World Record at the time) from 1977.
It's also well under sub-60 HM pace. Hopefully he's coming into form.
I've just seen that he's registered as an American on the live tracking website. Anyone know if that's a mistake or has he switched allegiance?
Why would he want to compete for America? He's basically a lock for UK teams if he hits the standard, not so for the US at all (Fisher, Nico, and maybe a 3rd random one - even Clinger?; Kincaid getting washed)
So is Charles Hicks America’s next great marathoner? He should make the jump relatively soon; I could see that being his best chance for a medal at LA28.
Just a shame that he won’t be able to run for Team USA at World XC in Tallahassee in January 2026. (Gault says he has to wait until July 2026 to rep Team USA.)
Nice. Smashes the previous UK record of Emile Cairess, which as 45:57. It equals Ian Stewart's unratified record (which was a World Record at the time) from 1977.
It's also well under sub-60 HM pace. Hopefully he's coming into form.
I've just seen that he's registered as an American on the live tracking website. Anyone know if that's a mistake or has he switched allegiance?
Why would he want to compete for America? He's basically a lock for UK teams if he hits the standard, not so for the US at all (Fisher, Nico, and maybe a 3rd random one - even Clinger?; Kincaid getting washed)
You mean Graham Blanks? I don’t see Hicks making this switch for the track. No way. I don’t think he’s beating guys like Blanks, Nico and Fisher for spots on the track in the 10k. for marathon, it makes more sense.
Why would he want to compete for America? He's basically a lock for UK teams if he hits the standard, not so for the US at all (Fisher, Nico, and maybe a 3rd random one - even Clinger?; Kincaid getting washed)
You mean Graham Blanks? I don’t see Hicks making this switch for the track. No way. I don’t think he’s beating guys like Blanks, Nico and Fisher for spots on the track in the 10k. for marathon, it makes more sense.
Agreed. Hicks is a marathoner. Hopefully he realizes that.