Lopez Lomong

Birthday: 01/01/85 Mile PR: 3:51.21 (indoors) - 2013
Metric Mile (1500m) PR: 3:32.20 - 2010
High School: Tully HS (NY)
Hometown: Kimotong, South Sudan
College: Northern Arizona University '09
Current Residence: Beaverton, OR

Team: Bowerman Track Club

Lopez Lomong, on July 10, 2020 at the Portland Intrasquad Meet II, set a 5000m personal record of 12:58.78 (8th American all-time) and finished second, and on July 31, 2020 at the Portland Intrasquad Meet IV, Lopez and his BTC teammates (Evan Jager, Grant Fisher & Sean McGorty) shattered the American 4 x 1500m relay record of 14:40.80, clocking 14:34.97.

The two-time Olympian (Beijing 2008 / 1500m and London 2012 / 5000m) won the 2019 USA 5000m & 2018-19 USA 10,000m titles, and in August 2018, he won the Sir Walter Miler, setting an event record of 3:53.86.

Lopez has impressive range with the following personal records: 800m = 1:45.48 / Mile = 3:51.21 / 5000m = 12:58.78 and 10,000m = 27:04.72.

The versatile Lomong was also the 2014 USA Indoor champion at 1500m with a 3:43.09 in Albuquerque, NM (altitude). On February 16, 2013, he won the storied NYRR Wanamker Mile in a meet record and personal record, clocking 3:51.21.

In addition, he is a two-time national champion at 1500 meters (2009-10). At NAU, Lomong won the 2007 NCAA Outdoor 1500m title and also took home the 2007 Indoor 3000m crown. On March 1, 2013, he set the U.S. indoor 5000m record, clocking 13:07.00.

In 2012, he was the recipient of the Visa Humanitarian of the Year Award by USA Track & Field, and Lopez was one of the Lost Boys of Sudan.

FUN FACT: In 2008, he carried the United States flag at the Beijing Olympic Games opening ceremonies.

FUN FACT II: Lopez speaks four languages – Buya (a tribal language in South Sudan), Kiswahili, English, and a little bit of Arabic.

@lopezlomong

News

Lipsey Breaks Through, Lomong Breaks Record at the 2018 Sir Walter Miler

August 03, 2018

Five women and 13 men run sub-4:30 and sub-4 minutes respectively at the fifth edition.

From Sir Walter Miler

RALEIGH, N.C. – For the second year in a row, the Sir Walter Miler Women’s race was decided by a sprint down the home stretch. The race started out with Sara Vaughn going to the front...

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NAU’s Lomong among Big Sky’s greatest

December 22, 2013

Two-time Olympian, 3:51 Miler and Lost Boy of Sudan's story #19 on "50 Greatest Men’s Moments” of conference’s 50th anniversary celebration

By NAU Sports Information

No Big Sky Conference athlete’s story has received as much national attention in recent years than the journey of Lopez Lomong....

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Men’s 1500 Meter Team for World Champs Finalized

July 08, 2013

Centrowitz, Manzano, and Lomong will go to Moscow.

By Peter Gambaccini, Runner's World

The confusing and somewhat nerve-racking matter of who will represent the United States in the men’s 1500 at the World Championships next month was resolved on Saturday after a fast race at Meeting Areva, a...

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Is Something Wrong with U.S. Milers?

June 19, 2013

A perfect storm of factors leads to a lack of fast 1500 meter times in 2013 for U.S. men

By Peter Gambaccini, Runner's World

As runners line up for the first round of the men’s 1500 meters on Thursday at the USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Des Moines, none of them will have the "A"...

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Olympian and “Lost Boy of Sudan” Lopez Lomong to Present UNA Commencement Address

May 03, 2013

By Terry Pace, UNA Communications and Marketing

FLORENCE, Ala. – South Sudanese-born Olympic track-and-field athlete Lopez Lomong – one of the so-called “Lost Boys of Sudan” – will be the guest speaker for the University of North Alabama’s spring commencement at 10:00am Saturday, May 11, at...

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Changing the World, One Step at a Time

March 13, 2013

By Katherine Keel, Team USA

A hand roughly shook his shoulder as he heard the panicked whispers from his friends, “Wake up, Lopepe, we have to go NOW!” Though his legs felt like lead, the soles of his feet were bloody and he could barely walk, he began shuffling forward as fast as he could.

...
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Team Schumacher Wants to Make the Millrose Games a Habit

February 21, 2013

By Ken Goe, The Oregonian

Jerry Schumacher, who coaches the elite Oregon Track Club/Portland training group, attended his first Millrose Games last weekend.

Now, he can't wait to go back.

"Great meet, great crowd," Schumacher said after watching Lopez Lomong of OTC/Portland nip favored ...

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A Beautiful Night for the Mile: Reid, Lomong Win the Wanamaker Mile

February 16, 2013

Multiple records topple in the Armory Saturday night as high school phenom Mary Cain betters her own U.S. record, while Lomong and O’Hare take the storied race into new terrain.

By Duncan Larkin, Mile wire 

NEW YORK – Under the bright lights and amidst the roaring of a sold-out crowd at the...

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Lomong Named Visa Humanitarian of the Year

November 15, 2012

"Faced with overwhelming suffering even at a young age, he rose above the adversity and now uses his success to help others overcome their challenges. Lopez is a role model for athletes and an inspiration for us all."

From USA Track & Field

INDIANAPOLIS - Lopez Lomong has been named the...

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American Dreams: Alex and Peter Inspired by Brother Lopez Lomong’s Olympic Success

October 08, 2012

By Stephen Mazzone, MileSplit.com

Back in the fall of 2007, HBO aired a moving documentary about distance runner and U.S. Olympian Joseph “Lopez” Lomong. It told the story of the terrifying early life of the African native, who was kidnapped at the age of 6 by rebel soldiers of the Sudan People...

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Olympic runner Lopez Lomong is a ‘warrior inside’

June 16, 2012

As part of USA TODAY Sports' "100 Olympic hopefuls in 100 Days" series, prospective U.S. Olympians give their thoughts on the Games in their own words.

By Karen Rosen, USA Today

Four years after Lopez Lomong carried the Star-Spangled Banner into the 2008 Olympic Opening Ceremony in Beijing,...

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