Grant Fisher doesn’t chase glory with a sprint. He builds it mile by mile. A master of the 5000m and 10000m grinds, Fisher has made a name for himself not just through medals, but through grit, patience, and a love for the brutal honesty of the sport. “I really enjoy the harsh accountability you get from running,” he told The Park Record in July 2024. That mindset carried him to the podium in Paris, where he snagged bronze in both the 5000m and 10000m, becoming just the fourth American in history to medal in the former and only the second to do so in the last 50 years.

But 2025 has been even more of a breakthrough. Fisher kicked off the year by rewriting the record books: two world-record times in the indoor 3000m and 5000m, just six days apart. Add a $10,000 prize from the Grand Slam Track series to that, and it’s clear the American double Olympic bronze medalist is in his prime. Yet as fans prepared to cheer him on during GST’s third edition in Philadelphia (May 30–June 1), an unexpected, heartbreaking update threw a shadow over his seemingly unstoppable season.

Grant Fisher took to Instagram Stories, highlighting a tough decision that caught fans off guard. “Made the decision to pull out of the Philadelphia Grand Slam. I had a hamstring issue come up a few days ago that I hoped would come around, but it just wasn’t ready for a full race effort.” The timing couldn’t have been more unfortunate.

After a dazzling run across the early legs of the 2025 Grand Slam Track series, where he showcased both tactical brilliance and raw endurance, this sudden injury left a cloud hanging over what had been a stellar season. Fisher had been on fire! Claiming not just podium finishes, but also hearts with his tactical courage. “Really bad timing, but that’s the way it goes sometimes. Thank you to everyone in my corner! Live to fight another day,” he continued.

 Closing his message with gratitude and resilience. And he has every reason to hold his head high. Just days before this announcement, Fisher had wrapped up an electrifying weekend in Miramar at the second GST meet. But while he was left behind in the 3000m by Ireland’s Andrew Coscoran, Fisher didn’t let that shake him. Instead, he adjusted.

In the 5000m, he made an aggressive move 1500 meters out, a bold tactic reminiscent of his Olympic Trials strategy. That gamble paid off as he crossed the finish line first in 13:40.32, winning the long-distance category title. And he didn’t just win. He inspired. “The 5000m doesn’t always get the love, so to have a packed house reacting to your moves, that felt good,” Fisher had said after his victory.

“This series is about entertainment. If I’m enjoying it, it helps others connect, too.” From a runner who thrives on accountability, these words echo louder now, after stepping away from competition for the sake of recovery. The crowd that roared for his surges in Kingston and Miramar will now be cheering even louder from afar.

Grant Fisher’s rollercoaster 2025 season from World Records to setbacks

Grant Fisher stormed into 2025 with the confidence of a man on a mission. After earning a double bronze in Paris, the American long-distance runner had the momentum and the motivation to turn the season into something unforgettable. And he wasted no time doing just that. In Kingston, he seized the long-distance crown at the first Grand Slam Track stop, showing the same dominance he displayed at the Millrose Games earlier that year.

There, Fisher smashed the 3000m world record with a blistering 7:22.91, earning an instant $25,000 bonus and the admiration of fans and peers alike. It was clear he wasn’t just collecting medals. He was rewriting history. “Talking about my event group—the 3000m/5000m double over two or three days—no one does that… I just ran a 3000m/5000m double-double over six days,” Fisher told Athletics Weekly.

A hint at just how brutal his early-season schedule was shaping up to be. But exhaustion wasn’t slowing him down. After Millrose, he shattered Kenenisa Bekele’s long-standing 5000m indoor world record at the David Hemery Valentine Invitational. Just six days later. And all the while, he was still cashing in. From New Balance Grand Prix podium finishes to sponsorships flooding in, Fisher’s 2025 season was as financially rewarding as it was record-breaking.

Even finishing second in the 1500m at New Balance meant he became just the 28th man ever to break 3:34 indoors. As the cash and clout mounted, so did the expectations. Everyone had eyes on the reigning distance king as he entered the Grand Slam Track circuit. But nothing could’ve prepared fans for the abrupt pause that followed. Despite thriving in Kingston and fighting hard in Miami, the toll of pushing limits became evident when Fisher pulled out of the Philadelphia leg.

Just weeks earlier, he had confessed uncertainty about pulling off double races on tight schedules like GST’s. That vulnerability, paired with his astonishing success, made the sudden setback feel all the more human. With his momentum briefly halted, the question now looms. Can Grant Fisher bounce back and finish this grand season with the dominance he started it with?