Just watched the race. I’m guessing most of you, like me, didn’t pay to watch live. 28.5-26 last 2 laps but that doesn’t do it justice. Had to battle around traffic and really fight for it. Must watch if you’re something that cares enough about track to be on this site
Really is wild to see him kick down Yared and Ethan like that - two guys who I think of having a bit more wheels than Nico historically. I was uncertain what we would see from Nico after the short XC season because he just looked like he was a little off his game there but it seems like he's just so well suited for the track and hasn't missed a beat since his incredible outdoor track season last year.
Really is wild to see him kick down Yared and Ethan like that - two guys who I think of having a bit more wheels than Nico historically. I was uncertain what we would see from Nico after the short XC season because he just looked like he was a little off his game there but it seems like he's just so well suited for the track and hasn't missed a beat since his incredible outdoor track season last year.
Some races Nico seems to have the best kick in the world.
Really is wild to see him kick down Yared and Ethan like that - two guys who I think of having a bit more wheels than Nico historically. I was uncertain what we would see from Nico after the short XC season because he just looked like he was a little off his game there but it seems like he's just so well suited for the track and hasn't missed a beat since his incredible outdoor track season last year.
Some races Nico seems to have the best kick in the world.
He’s not a middle distance runner and if Kerr or Hocker were in this race, he would have been outkicked. To have a chance at beating those guys, the winning time wouod need to be in the low 7:20s.
Just watched the race. I’m guessing most of you, like me, didn’t pay to watch live. 28.5-26 last 2 laps but that doesn’t do it justice. Had to battle around traffic and really fight for it. Must watch if you’re something that cares enough about track to be on this site
I devoted a whole section in my recap to Nico and his kick.
Rojo wrote:
3) Nico Young continues to get better and better It may be hard to believe, but less than two years ago, Nico Young was viewed as someone with no kick. He was a former high school star who was a very good college runner, but maybe winning anything of note was never going to happen. In his eight NCAA championship races, he had finished 11th, 3rd, 7th, 3rd, 2nd, 4th, 8th, and 6th. In March 2024, his kick showed up at NCAAs and he took home individual wins in the 3000 and 5000, and he’s only gotten better since. The next week he ran 26:52.72 in the 10,000 and then went on to make the Olympic team. In 2025, he lowered his 5000 PB to 12:45.27, winning the Oslo DL in the process, before recording two top-six finishes at Worlds. Now he’s taking down some of the world’s top milers in a 3000? Wow. Remember, he’s the reigning U.S. champion at 10,000. Two weeks ago, his kick was great in the Wanamaker Mile as his final 400 of 55.86 was the best of anyone in the race. And he ran 3:48. Yes, the U.S. 10,000 champion ran 3:48 in the mile. Tonight that big close was there again as he went from fifth to first over the final 400 thanks to a 54.59 final 400 (26.06 final 200). If he goes to World Indoors a medal seems to be there for the taking. And looking toward outdoors in the future, a gold medal can’t be ruled out, can it?
I knew coming in Nico had run a 3:48 mile and really closed well, but I thought to myself. He really shouldn't beat the milers in a 1500 unless it's super fast (like sub-7:30). And he did.
I really hope he goes to World Indoors. In a 7:40s race (winning time in 7:40s each of lats two years), could he still do it?
very impressive run by Nico Young. Both Strand and Nuguse have been a bit disappointing so far this year.
“This year” doesn’t really begin until outdoors.
I actually thought it was a little positive for Nuguse. Steps up in distance, holds strand off. I can see the negative but I don’t think it was all bad for him.
Whoops. Thanks to the person that posted the correct link. Not sure why this one says facility record in the title too
I think it technically was a facility record at the time it happened (because the fast heat was still to come). But yeah that title is just clickbait at this point lol
No wonder he made Gary Martin look like a 10k runner at the Millrose Mile. Dude outkicked Nuguse and Strand sheesh, I remember when Strand’s kick looked unstoppable.
No wonder he made Gary Martin look like a 10k runner at the Millrose Mile. Dude outkicked Nuguse and Strand sheesh, I remember when Strand’s kick looked unstoppable.
Strand didn't kick this time around (at least not his usual kick) since he's not in good enough shape to do so right now. Once he's back in shape he'll be having one of the best kicks in the world again.
Whoops. Thanks to the person that posted the correct link. Not sure why this one says facility record in the title too
Nearly every race, even the B races, were facility records because the track used to not be banked (and therefore the previous records were slow). Facility was renovated and upgraded with a new banked Mondotrack, the same track surface used at Paris 2024, but banked, installed for the 2025–26 season.
