Nathan Brannen: 1500m

Name: Nathan Brannen
Hometown: Cambridge, Ontario
Club: Capital City Runners
Coach: Wynn Gmitroski
Age: 29
Personal Best: 3:34.22 (1500m)

Canadian Olympian Nathan Brannen ran under the Olympic “A+” 1500m standard on May 28, over a month in advance of the Olympic trials. Brannen ran a personal best of 3:34.22 in the 1500m and finished eighth at the Fanny Blankers-Koen Games in the Netherlands.

The former Cambridge, Ont., resident attended Preston High School and was a competitive hockey player throughout his childhood. He realized early on that his small frame wasn’t that of a professional hockey player. While still playing competitively, it became evident after a Grade 6 800m race that running was his ticket. Brannen lapped the entire field proving that he was a gifted runner. After much success on the track in Grade 9, Brannen decided to pursue running more seriously. In his Grade 11 year, Brannen didn’t lose a single race and before heading off to University, he broke the North American junior 800m record and ran a sub four-minute mile. Throughout high school, Brannen trained with the Preston team as well as Peter Grinbergs at Tri-City Track Club. Just after graduating, Brannen competed in the 800m at the 2001 world championships in Edmonton as a junior, earning valuable experience.

Brannen attended the University of Michigan for his collegiate career and was named Athlete of the Year in his final year among his other successes.

While trying to qualify for the 2004 Olympics at age 21, he injured his ankle and was forced to watch the Athens Games from home. Despite this barrier, he went on to win the silver medal at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Australia. Brannen had a slew of significant injuries over the next number of years. Prior to the Beijing Olympics, Brennan had surgery on his herniated disc and was told that he would never run again. This was a mere eight months before the Beijing Olympics in August.

His goal in this year’s Olympics is to qualify for the 1500m final, after not making it past the semifinals in Beijing. Brannen’s supportive family include wife Theresa, his college sweetheart who he married two years ago, and daughter Gianna, born last fall.

Related Links:
Brannen gets his “A” standard
Brannen regroups for Olympic push