Kate Grace
Birthday: 10/24/88 Mile PR: 4:20.70 - 2018
Metric Mile (1500m) PR: 4:01.33 - 2021
High School: Marlborough High (CA) '07
Hometown: Santa Monica, CA
College: Yale University '11
Current Residence: Boulder, CO
Kate Grace retired as a professional runner in July 2024 after finishing as an 800m finalist at the U.S. Olympic Trials (in the semi heat, she fell at the finish line after bumping with another runner).
In 2022, she did not race due to the effects of COVID-19. In September, she wed Patrick O'Neil, and on March 5, 2023, the pair welcomed a baby boy, River Grace O’Neil.
In 2021, Kate won her first Diamond League race, setting a 800m personal record of 1:57.60 and beating the reigning world champion Halimah Nakaayi in Oslo, and eight days later, set another 800 PR in 1:57.20 to finish third at the Herculis Meet in Monaco. At the Diamond League meet in Gateshead, she won the Millicent Fawcett Mile in 4:27.20. She closed her racing campaign with a 1500m win and PR of 4:01.33 at the ISTAF Berlin meet.
In September 2019, she won the 1500 meters at The Match, USA vs. Europe meet, clocking 4:02.49.
In 2017, Grace was the runner-up at the NYRR Wanamaker Mile in 4:22.93 (#7 world and #4 U.S. all-time indoors). In 2016, she won the 800 meter title at the U.S. Olympic Trials, posting a personal record 1:59.10 to earn her first berth on Team USA for the Rio Olympics, and in Rio, Grace finished 8th in the Olympic 800 meters (1:59.57).
In 2013, Kate won her first U.S. title at the USA 1 Mile Road Championships, clocking 4:43.02, and also setting a course record at the Grand Blue Mile in Des Moines, IA. At the 2013 Millrose Games Wanamaker Mile, Kate placed third and ran a then personal record 4:28.79 and became the 43rd U.S. woman to run sub-4:30.
The four-time All-American at Yale also set school records in the Mile (4:39.52) as well as the 800 meters (2:03.41) and 1500 meters (4:20.66).
FUN FACT: Kate's mother is Kathy Smith, a fitness icon who has sold more than 16 million fitness videos.