There are few events that have us more excited for the 2025 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships than the men's 3,000m.

Billed as one of the most competitive races in the NCAA this year, there are tantalizing storylines throughout the field, and for a myriad of reasons. Simply put, this could be the best race in NCAA indoor history.

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You Read That Right: We're Talking About NCAA History.

It helps when six of the eight fastest times in collegiate history have been posted by different men in this field.

Earlier this year, Ethan Strand (UNC) set the 3,000m NCAA record at the BU Season Opener, a race that also saw Parker Wolfe (UNC), Yaseen Abdalla (Arkansas), and Gary Martin (UVA) also dip below the previous collegiate all-time mark of 7:36.42 (Drew Bosley, 2023).

Strand's record-breaking run of 7:30.15 has continued to pace the boards this year.

Then, at the BU Bruce Lehane Scarlet and White Invitational, Villanova teammates Liam Murphy and Marco Langon burst into the record books with their respective 1-2 finish. They ran 7:35.47 and 7:36.87, respectively.

10 NCAA DI men broke 7:40 this indoor season in the 3,00m, and it took a 7:40.38 to make the historic 16-man field.

A Look At The Full 2025 NCAA Indoors 3,000m Entries

Section 1  Timed Finals
  1    677 Adam Spencer                  SR Wisconsin           7:40.38 
  2    426 Matt Strangio                 SR Portland            7:40.09 
  3    644 Luke Tewalt                   SR Wake Forest         7:39.09 
  4     46 Yaseen Abdalla                SR Arkansas            7:34.17 
  5    322 Ishmael Kipkurui              FR New Mexico          7:40.06 
  6    618 Gary Martin                   JR Virginia            7:36.09 
  7    344 Parker Wolfe                  SR North Caroli        7:30.23 
  8    612 Marco Langon                  SO Villanova           7:36.87 
  9    340 Colton Sands                  JR North Caroli        7:39.60 
 10    356 Drew Bosley                   SR Northern Ari        7:38.06 
 11    613 Liam Murphy                   SR Villanova           7:35.47 
 12    358 Colin Sahlman                 JR Northern Ari        7:37.59 
 13    324 Habtom Samuel                 SO New Mexico          7:39.39 
 14    383 Brian Musau                   SO Oklahoma Sta        7:40.18 
 15    628 George Couttie                SO Virginia Tec        7:40.18 
 16    343 Ethan Strand                  SR North Caroli        7:30.15

Despite The Speed, It Could Be A Battle Of Attrition.

The 3,000m is slated for day two of action at the NCAA DI Track and Field Championships.

Many of the men in the field will be doubling back from either the 5,000m or distance medley relay. In fact, 14 of the 16 entered men could potentially run another event.

In the men's distance medley relay, Adam Spencer, Luke Tewalt, Martin, Wolfe, Brian Musau, George Couttie and Strand are all added to their team's entries. However, that could mean a lot or a little. There is a chance that none of those men run the DMR, or that they all do.

Meanwhile, Yaseen Abdalla, Murphy, Ishmael Kipkurui, Langon, Drew Bosley and Habtom Samuel are entered in the 5,000m. We know that they'll have to run that event. Colin Sahlman will run the mile.

So that leaves Matt Strangio and Colton Sands as the only two men that will enter the event fresh. Can they run the legs off of their competitors?

Sands has the advantage of training with the two best 3,000m runners in NCAA history. He has been the third-wheel to a UNC party, but he could get a last laugh. Sands has a 3,000m personal best of 7:39.60 and a 13:27 5,000m PR.

How Do We See The Race Playing Out?

We're either going to see a record setting run, or the slowest 3,000m in NCAA history. 

I'd tend to lean towards the former.

Watch for Strand and Abdalla to push the pace out front. Abdalla doesn't have the best kick in the field, so he'll be looking to keep the pace honest and hot.

Samuel is another guy who may try to out-tough the field. I wouldn't be surprised to see him move toward the front.

If it becomes a kicker's race, then Martin, Murphy, Couttie and Langon could be dangerous.

Who Won The 3,000-Meter Races At The 2024 NCAA Division I Indoor Track And Field Championships?

Women

Parker Valby, Florida

• Florida’s Parker Valby had quite weekend at the 2024 NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships, winning the 3,000- and the 5,000-meter races. 
• She won the 3,000m with a time of 8:41.50.
• She owns six NCAA championships overall and is the NCAA record holder in the indoor 5,000, outdoor 5,000 and outdoor 10,000. 

Men

Nico Young, Northern Arizona

• Northern Arizona’s Nico Young also doubled up at the 2024 NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships, winning the 3,000- and 5,000-meter races.
• He took the 3,000-meter title with a time of 7:41.01, with Wolfe second at 7:42.38.
• Young owns the collegiate record in the 5,000 (12:57.14) and 10,000 (26:52.72), both in 2024.

Will Either 2024 Champion In The 3,000-Meter Race Be Back To Defend That Title?

No. Both 2024 champions in the 3,000 have completed their collegiate careers. 

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