The Next Great American Runner | Inside Nico Young’s Breakthrough Season: Breaking The American Record, Winning A Diamond League, & Chasing World Glory
THE RUNNING EFFECT PODCAST
Dominic Schlueter
4.9 • 822 Ratings
🗓️ 12 November 2025
⏱️ 37 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
No American runner made more noise in 2025 than Nico Young.
The 23-year-old prodigy smashed the 5,000m American record, claimed his first national title, and battled the world’s best in Tokyo.
In June, he stormed through the Bislett Games in Oslo, running 12:45.27 for 5,000 meters, which was a new American record. Barely two months later, he claimed his first U.S. title at 10,000 meters in Eugene, clocking 29:02.12 to solidify his dominance on home soil.
Then, on the world’s biggest stage in Tokyo, Young placed fifth in the 10,000m at the 2025 World Championships, closing his breakout season in a dynamic way.
Young’s rise has been meteoric but methodical.
A former NCAA champion from Northern Arizona University, he first stunned the sport in 2024 by debuting at 26:52.72 for 10,000 meters–an NCAA and American collegiate record–then qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he finished 12th. Turning pro with Adidas that summer, he entered 2025 with sharper focus and the freedom to train through longer, uninterrupted blocks under coach Mike Smith in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Now a national champion, world finalist, and record holder, Young owns personal bests of 12:45.27 (5,000m), 26:52.72 (10,000m), and 7:37.73 (3,000m). His performances are redefining what’s possible for American distance runners, and he’s doing it with trademark composure and humility.
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Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | I would say from personal experience, when you're pursuing a goal that you want and you're not getting what you want, |
| 0:08.2 | remind yourself that you're trying your best, and that's the best that you can do, |
| 0:13.1 | even if you're not getting what it is that you want. |
| 0:16.1 | It's not the point of trying for a goal. |
| 0:27.1 | Thank you. the point of trying for a goal. That was Nico Young back today on the Running Effect podcast. |
| 0:30.0 | If you're not familiar with Nico Young, |
| 0:31.3 | you've probably been living under a rock for the past few years |
| 0:33.5 | because this guy is an absolute stud and he's been crushing it ever since his high school years. |
| 0:38.6 | I was going to say high school years probably ever since he put one foot in front of the other and discovered the sport of running. This guy has been at the top of the game. In 2025 was his most successful year yet. He set an American record in the 5k. He won the Oslo Diamond League. He won a grand slam track in Philadelphia. He won a U.S. national title in the 10K, and he went on to |
| 0:56.8 | place fifth at the 2025. Oslo Diamond League. He won a grand slam track in Philadelphia. He won a U.S. national |
| 0:55.1 | title in the 10K. And he went on to place fifth at the 2025 World Championships in the 10K, |
| 1:00.0 | held in Tokyo, Japan. And he's just getting started. And did I mention that was literally |
| 1:03.7 | his first full year as a pro? So the guy was a rookie. He's on an absolute tear. And he has a career |
| 1:09.7 | that is so worth following and so worth cheering |
| 1:12.0 | for. I always love my conversations with Nico. I had the privilege of having him on a few years |
| 1:16.2 | ago when he was at NAU and every year he seems to do something legendary. So really appreciated |
| 1:20.6 | this deep dive conversation into his historically successful 2025 year and talking about the future |
| 1:26.9 | World Cross coming in 2026 |
| 1:28.6 | his plans and ambitions for it and so much more if you enjoy this one guys give us a five-star |
| 1:32.4 | view it takes next to no time to do so hit the follow button so you don't miss more conversations |
| 1:36.1 | with top athletes like nico and make sure you share this podcast with a friend that is the easiest |
| 1:40.6 | way in which we can grow i hope you guys enjoy this one as much as I did. Without further ado, enjoy my conversation, demand them at the legend, Mr. Nico Young. |
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