Zachary Blackwood — 400/800 Hybrid

What the clock says

1:54.45

800m

49.13

400m

15:48

5K · Cross Country

His 400 and 800 are both still dropping — a 49.13 open 400, with a 48-high split on the 4×400 relay.

01Two-time GHSA 4×800m relay state champion — the relay holds the state & school record (7:53.16)
02Three-time All-State (freshman, sophomore, junior)
03Region 4-AAAA Cross Country Runner of the Year
04Region & sectional champion — 800m, 4×800 and 4×400
05Summer altitude training blocks — Flagstaff, Boulder, Crested Butte

MileSplit profile → Athletic.net →

The engine underneath

The clock only shows the surface. Independent lab testing already puts his aerobic engine in the elite adult-male range — with the threshold layer, by design, still being built.

70–73

VO₂max · ml/kg/min (sea-level est.)

Elite adult-male distance range

0.35

VLa max

Ideal middle-distance profile

405 lb

Back squat

Rare strength for a distance runner

A 400/800 sprint profile with genuine 5K endurance — a hybrid most recruiting databases simply don't carry.

Chronically under-volumed for his physiology. The aerobic base is only now being built — meaning the fastest part of the curve is still ahead.

The race, every time

01

Gets out clean

49-second quarter speed puts him in position early.

02

Holds under pressure

Form stays intact when the race gets crowded and uncomfortable.

03

Closes with intent

A consistent closing gear over the final 200.

2026 State Final · 4×800 anchor

A runner clips him mid-race. He never breaks stride.

He doesn't flinch, doesn't look down — he just keeps closing. Composure under contact is the trait you can't coach.

Zachary crossing the line with the baton raised as a competitor falls behind him

He stays up. The race behind him doesn't — baton high, eyes forward, anchor leg finished.

Not a moment — a pattern

Best closing clip — final 200m

Zachary anchoring the 4x800 to the line — Anchor leg — state champ, 7:53.16

GHSA 4x800m state and school record graphic — State & school record

West Stride Finish On Empty campaign featuring Zachary Blackwood

Brand ambassador · West Stride Running

Selected for the way he competes.

West Stride, a respected Atlanta running shop, chose Zachary for its Finish on Empty campaign — built around athletes who race through the line. A reputation earned, not a slogan handed to him.

The kind of teammate that raises a room

Recruit the time.
Keep the leader.

Team & character

Coaches' "Heart & Hustle" award · freshman peer mentor · four-year student ambassador

Service & leadership

Lower School math tutor · Isdell Center for Global Leadership (ICGL) executive council · Eagle Scout candidate · Boys Nation first alternate · Hank Aaron Role Model Award

Academic direction

AP Micro & Macroeconomics · AP U.S. & European History · AP Computer Science · Business, Economics & Data Analytics

Let's talk

Recruit the time.
Keep the leader.

✉ Email Zachary

MileSplit Athletic.net Pace Academy · Class of 2027 · Marietta, GA