Trans nonbinary runner Nikki Hiltz is headed to this year’s Paris Olympics after breaking a U.S. Olympic Trials record.
On Sunday, June 30, the middle distance track star held off competitors Emily Mackay and Elle St. Pierre in the final women’s 1,500-meter race in the U.S. Olympic Track and Field trials at the University of Oregon’s Hayward Field. Although Hiltz, Mackay, and 2020 Olympian Heather MacLean briefly shared the lead while rounding the race’s bell lap, Hiltz ultimately pulled ahead in the final 100 meters and won, holding onto their 2023 national championship title.
“I told myself, I’m not going to think about all the love and support [I have] until 100 meters to go,’” Hiltz told reporters afterward, according to Runner’s World. “‘And then, at that moment, you can let it all fill you up and push you to the finish line.’ That’s exactly what I did, and I think that’s what brought me home.”
The 29-year-old finished in 3 minutes and 55.33 seconds — an Olympic Trials record, beating out a previous 3:58:03 record set by St. Pierre in 2021. Hiltz previously won three consecutive women’s 1,500-meter race national championships between 2021 and 2023. According to OutSports, their time yesterday was the second-fastest by an American in the event ever.
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