Grant Fisher Shatters 5,000m World Record in Stunning Performance

Boston, MA — Grant Fisher has set a new world record in the 5,000 meters, clocking in at 12:44.09 at the 2025 BU Valentine Invitational on February 14. This remarkable achievement surpasses the previous world record of 12:49.60 set by Kenenisa Bekele in 2004 and breaks the American record of 12:51.61 held by Woody Kincaid since 2023.

This performance marks Fisher’s second world record in just two weeks. On February 8, he secured victory in the indoor 3,000 meters with a time of 7:22.91, dethroning Lamecha Girma‘s previous record.

During the race, Fisher strategically settled behind his early pacesetters while maintaining a consistent pace. The leaders completed the first 1,200 meters in an average of 3:02. By the halfway point, the pacer dropped out, prompting Fisher to increase his speed significantly. He clocked his next lap at 30.63 seconds, quickly creating a gap between himself and competitor Jimmy Gressier.

As he approached the final 2,000 meters, Fisher navigated lap traffic with efficiency and composure, aided by the encouragement of the cheering crowd. He entered the last lap strong, unleashing a kick that led him to finish in dominating fashion with a final lap time of 29.28 seconds.

Jimmy Gressier, who placed second, finished in 12:54.92, setting a new French national record in the process. Yaseen Abdalla of Arkansas secured third, crossing the finish line as the top collegian in 13:09.99, which ranks him eighth on the all-time collegiate list.

Fisher, 27, had aimed for a target time of 12:42, a spree that hadn’t been achieved indoors since Bekele’s record-setting performance over two decades ago. His training and acumen, combined with the pacing from Henry Mcluckie and DJ Principe, allowed him to maintain a swift pace throughout, opening with 4:05.01 for the initial 1,600 meters and accumulating a 7:39.16 at the 3,000-meter mark.

This breakthrough comes on the heels of a successful Olympic campaign, where Fisher earned bronze medals in both the 5,000 and 10,000 meters at the Paris Games, reinforcing his position as one of the premier distance runners today.