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Hobbs Kessler

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Hobbs Kessler
Kessler at the 2024 World Indoor Championships
Personal information
Born (2003-03-15) March 15, 2003 (age 21)
Home townAnn Arbor, Michigan
EducationSkyline High School
Sport
SportAthletics
Event(s)1500 metres, Mile
ClubAdidas
Very Nice Track Club
Turned pro2021
Achievements and titles
Personal bests
Medal record
Men's athletics
Representing the  United States
World Indoor Championships
Bronze medal – third place 2024 Glasgow 1500 m
World Road Running Championships
Gold medal – first place 2023 Riga 1 mile

Hobbs Kessler (born March 15, 2003) is an American middle-distance runner.[1] He competes professionally for Adidas, having turned professional directly after high school. He holds the North American U20 record in the 1500 meters, having run 3:34.36 in 2021 during his senior year in high school. He briefly held the world record in the road mile set at the 2023 World Road Running Championships until it was broken by Emmanuel Wanyonyi on April 27, 2024.

At the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships, he secured a bronze medal in the 1500 m. In June 2024, he made the United States Olympic Team, having finished third in the 1500m and second in the 800m at the 2024 United States Olympic Trials. He is the first American male athlete to qualify for the Olympic 1500m and 800m double since 1976. At the 2024 Summer Olympics, he finished fifth in the 1500 meter final.

Running career

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High School

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Kessler competed for Skyline High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan, as the high school he attended for academics, Community High School, did not offer competitive sports. During Kessler's senior year, his father was the high school track coach. However, wanting to keep a non-professional relationship with his son, he had the renowned University of Michigan coach Ron Warhurst plan most of Hobbs' training. This allowed Hobbs to train with professional runners Nick Willis and Mason Ferlic for harder workouts while still allowing him to do easier efforts with his high school teammates.

In September 2020, Hobbs committed to compete at Northern Arizona University.[2]

On February 7, 2021, Kessler broke the U.S. high school indoor mile record by running 3:57.66 at the Randal Tyson Track Center where he placed third in the race. This broke his previous mile personal best by more than ten seconds and[3] made him the 12th American high schooler to break 4 minutes in the mile.[4] During the outdoor track season, he went on to run 8:39.04 for 2-miles at the NSAF USA Meet of Champions in Myrtle Beach, becoming the No. 4 American high schooler at that distance,[5] as well as winning his first state title in the 1600m.[6]

On May 29, 2021, Hobbs ran a 3:34.36 1500m at the Portland Track Festival. Despite still being in high school, his time was faster than the NCAA record at the time. His time also broke the North American U20 and U.S. high school records.[7] The performance also qualified him to compete at the 2021 US Olympic Trials.

He was named the 2021 Gatorade National Track and Field Athlete of the Year.

Professional

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Only a day before he competed at the U.S. Olympic Trials in June 2021, Kessler turned professional, signing with Adidas. By turning professional, Kessler forfeited his commitment to compete for Northern Arizona University.[8]

Kessler currently trains under the tutelage of Ron Warhurst in Ann Arbor as part of the Very Nice Track Club. His training partners include Olympians Bryce Hoppel, Nick Willis and Mason Ferlic, as well as other professional runners Ben Flanagan, Morgan Beadlescomb, Nathan Mylenek, Natalie Cizmas, Alsu Lenneman, and Charlie Da’Vall Grice.[9]

On October 1, 2023, Kessler broke the 1 mile road record by running 3:56.13 in Riga at the World Road Running Championships.[10]

On December 9, 2023, Kessler placed 3rd in the Kalakaua Merrie Mile, in a time of 3:57.12.[11]

At the 2023 New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, Kessler took first in the 1500 m, running an indoor personal best of 3:33.66 by fending off a hard charging Jake Wightman in the final metres.[12]

On February 11, 2024, Kessler placed 2nd to Yared Nuguse in the Wanamaker Mile at the Millrose Games, in a personal best time of 3:48.66.[13] His run placed him 4th on the all-time indoor mile list. The following week, Kessler competed at the US Indoor Championships in the 1500 m where he placed 2nd behind Cole Hocker in a time of 3:38.76. By placing in the top two, he qualified to represent the United States at the 2024 World Indoor Championships in Glasgow.

At the 2024 World Indoor Championships 1500m, Kessler ran at the front of the field for the majority of the race before getting out kicked by Cole Hocker and George Beamish as he finished in 3rd for the bronze medal.[14]

On 27 April 2024, Kessler competed in the road mile at the adizero Road to Records event in Herzogenaurach, Germany. He finished second in the race, in a time of 3:56.18. Finishing first was Emmanuel Wanyonyi of Kenya, who broke Kessler's previous world record of 3:56.13 by running 3:54.56.[15]

At his second Olympic Trials, Kessler placed third in the 1500m behind Cole Hocker and Yared Nuguse qualifying for the 2024 Olympics and finishing in a personal best time of 3:31.53.[16] Kessler also contested the 800m, winning his semi-final heat in a personal best time of 1:43.71. In the final, he finished second behind his training partner and 2024 Indoor World 800m Champion Bryce Hoppel, again lowering his personal best, this time to 1:43.64, and qualifying for the Olympics in a second event.[17][18]

On August 6, Kessler finished 5th in the 1500 meter final at the 2024 Paris Olympics, in a personal best time of 3:29.45. His compatriots Yared Nuguse and Cole Hocker finished 3rd and 1st respectively, marking the first time in 112 years that two Americans were on the men's 1500 meter podium.[19][20] He also competed in the 800m, but was eliminated in the semifinals, finishing sixth in his heat.[21]

Competition record

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International Competitions

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Year Competition Venue Position Event Time
Representing the  United States
2023 World Road Running Championships Riga, Latvia 1st Mile 3:56.13
2024 World Indoor Championships Glasgow Arena 3rd 1500 m 3:36.72
Olympic Games Stade de Paris 6th (sf) 800 m 1:46.20
5th 1500 m 3:29.45

National Championships

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Year Competition Venue Position Event Time
Representing Adidas (2021–present)
2021 US Olympic Trials Hayward Field 19th (sf) 1500 m 3:45.50
2022 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships 22nd (h) 3:42.56
2023 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships 6th 3:36.08
2024 USA Indoor Track and Field Championships Albuquerque Convention Center 2nd 3:38.76
US Olympic Trials Hayward Field 3rd 3:31.53
2nd 800 m 1:43.64

Personal bests

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Surface Event Time Date Venue Notes
Indoor track 1500m 3:33.66 February 4, 2024 The Track at New Balance
Mile 3:48.66 February 11, 2024 The Armory 4th fastest all-time
3000m 7:39.00 January 27, 2023 Boston University
Outdoor track 800m 1:43.64 June 30, 2024 Hayward Field
1000m 2:16.46 August 10, 2022 Louis II Stadium AU20R
1500m 3:29.45 August 6, 2024 Stade de France
Mile 3:58.73 August 24, 2022 Tooting Bec Athletics Track
Two Miles 8:39.04 March 25, 2021 Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium
Road Road Mile 3:54.0* July 23, 2022 Charlevoix, Michigan, US Not Legal

Rock climbing career

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Kessler at the 2019 Sport & Speed Open Nationals.

Kessler was a national-caliber rock climber in his youth. He represented the United States several times, including at the 2019 IFSC Climbing Youth World Championships in Arco, Italy where he placed 34th in the Lead Youth A Male category.[22] In March 2019, he climbed Southern Smoke (5.14c) at Red River Gorge in Kentucky – his hardest route so far.[23] He's stated that one of his goals is to be the first person to run a sub-four-minute mile, climb a 5.15 (9b/+) and a V15 (8C).[23]

Personal life

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Hobbs comes from a family of runners. His father, Michael, ran collegiately at Eastern Michigan University. His mother, Serena, also is a runner and made the 2012 US Olympic Trials in the marathon.[4]

References

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  1. ^ Hobbs Kessler at World Athletics
  2. ^ Wickliffe, Greg (September 21, 2020). "Skyline standout runner Hobbs Kessler commits to Northern Arizona". MLive. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  3. ^ Snider-McGrath, Ben (February 8, 2021). "17-year-old runs 3:57 mile, breaks U.S. high school record". Canadian Running. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  4. ^ a b Gault, Jonathan (February 8, 2021). "An Unknown High Schooler Just Ran a 3:57 Mile — Everything You Need To About Hobbs Kessler's Record-Breaking Run". LetsRun. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  5. ^ Hollobaugh, Jeff. "Hobbs Kessler — The Making Of A Miler". Track & field News. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  6. ^ Purcell, Jared (June 8, 2021). "Michigan teenage track star Hobbs Kessler wanted a state title before chasing his Olympic dream". M Live. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  7. ^ Cory Mull (May 30, 2021). "Hobbs Kessler Qualifies For US Trials, Sets National Record". milesplit.com. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
  8. ^ Hollobaugh, Jeff (June 23, 2021). "Hobbs Kessler Turns Pro, Signs With adidas & Global Athletics". Track and Field News. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  9. ^ Kochanny, Drew (July 25, 2022). "First-timers take home wins in record-setting Ryan Shay Mile". The Petoskey News-Review. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  10. ^ "Hobbs Kessler Sets A New World Record In Men's Road Mile After A Thrilling Sprint Finish In Riga". October 1, 2023. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  11. ^ "NUGUSE WINS KALAKAUA MERRIE MILE IN ROAD RACE DEBUT". Honolulu Marathon. December 9, 2023. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  12. ^ "Hobbs Kessler Surpasses 2022 World Champion Jake Wightman to Win 1500 m event at NBIGP". Sportskeeda.
  13. ^ "Results". results.nyrrmillrosegames.org. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  14. ^ "Geordie Beamish Wins Indoor 1500m Gold as Americans Cole Hocker and Hobbs Kessler Get Silver and Bronze". LetsRun.com. March 3, 2024. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  15. ^ "Wanyonyi runs world road mile record in Herzogenaurach | REPORT | World Athletics". worldathletics.org. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  16. ^ "Live updates, results: Day 4 of U.S. Olympic trials for track and field". Oregon Live. June 24, 2024. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  17. ^ "2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Track & FIeld". USATF. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  18. ^ "A Late Entrant, Bryce Hoppel Hopes For Merrie Mile Success". FloTrack. December 8, 2023. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  19. ^ "Hocker in a Shocker: Cole Hocker wins Olympic 1500m crown | NBC Olympics". www.nbcolympics.com. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  20. ^ "MEN'S 1500M FINAL RESULTS".
  21. ^ "800 Metres Result | The XXXIII Olympic Games". worldathletics.org. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
  22. ^ "Results". International Federation of Sport Climbing. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  23. ^ a b Hildenbrand, Bruce (March 15, 2021). "Hobbs Kessler Climbs 5.14+ and Runs a Sub 4-Minute Mile. And He's Just 17". Climbing Magazine. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
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