By Citius Mag Staff
February 15, 2025
Grant Fisher delivered an unforgettable performance at the BU David Hemery Valentine Invitational, shattering the world indoor 5000m record with a breathtaking 12:44.09. The 27-year-old American obliterated Kenenisa Bekele’s 12:49.60 mark, which had stood since 2004.
Here’s what you need to know:
21 years | The time Bekele’s record lasted
Since 2004, no one had broken the world indoor 5000m record—until Fisher did it in spectacular fashion.
2 world records in 6 days | Fisher’s incredible streak
On Feb. 8th, Fisher broke the 3000m world record in 7:22.91 at the Millrose Games in New York on February 8 in an epic duel with 1500m Olympic champion Cole Hocker.
30.56 seconds per lap | Fisher’s astonishing average pace
That’s how to break it down in the “Go down to your local track” way. That’s 4:05 per mile for 3.1 miles—indoors, on a 200m track.
59.36 seconds | Fisher’s final 400m split
Even after 24 punishing laps, Fisher still closed with a sub-60 second final lap.
3:33.99 for 1500m, 7:22.91 for 3000m, 12:44.09 for 5000m | Fisher’s PR Blitz To Start 2025
In the past 13 days, Fisher has set three outright personal bests—not just indoors, but across all surfaces. Afterward, he said, “I didn’t expect that going into this season…I had the year of my life last year so this is a good start.”
7:39.16 | Fisher’s 3000m split
2200m | The moment Fisher was left alone.
Pacers DJ Principe and Henry McLuckie led Fisher through a strong early pace before stepping off. It was a big ask but Fisher said they did their job taking him more than halfway.
12:44.09 | The new world indoor record.
– A 5.5-second improvement on Bekele’s mark.
– Also 2.87 seconds faster than his outdoor American record (12:46.96).
What He Said After The Race
The past week is arguably one of the best for American distance runners…
📅 Feb. 8 – Fisher sets the 3000m world indoor record (7:22.91)
📅 Feb. 8 – Yared Nuguse sets the 1500m world indoor record (3:31.74) en route to his Wanamaker Mile victory.
📅 Feb. 8 – Nuguse breaks the mile world record (3:46.63 – broken five days later by Jakob Ingebrigtsen)
📅 Feb. 14 – Fisher smashes the 5000m world indoor record (12:44.09)
When asked what he theorizes may be the reason for the resurgence, Fisher credited the momentum and success coming off the Olympics along with Jakob Ingebrigtsen’s pursuit of fast times raising the caliber of talent across the board.
"Jakob has changed the game in a lot of ways,” Fisher said after the race. “A lot of us are chasing him. He's kind of the gold standard in time now...Jakob has raised the bar and everyone is following it. There were a few years where he could run away from the field, especially in the 1500m. That lasted for a few years and now guys can go with it. That's what happens when someone sets a new standard. The Americans are in a great spot. It's fun to be a part of.”
What’s Next?
With this record-breaking start to 2025, Fisher has every right to be considered a legitimate contender for gold in the 5000m and 10,000m much later in the year at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo. When he spoke with CITIUS MAG last fall, he noted that with his bronze medals in the 5000m and 10,000m, the goal is clearer for this year.
Fisher’s indoor season has come to an end. He will not contest the 2025 U.S. Indoor Track and Field Championships next weekend in Staten Island or the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China. He plans to take some downtime before getting back to full training to prepare for the inaugural Grand Slam Track season, where he is a Racer in the long-distance category that contests the 3000m and 5000m at each of the four Slams.
Citius Mag Staff
