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.
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.
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.
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]
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]
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]
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
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]
