Graham Blanks has quickly emerged as one of the most exciting names in American long-distance running. In 2023, he made headlines by winning the NCAA Cross Country Championship with a stunning time of 28:37.7, becoming Harvard’s first male national champion in the sport. His performance didn’t stop there—Blanks continued to prove himself in track events, clocking 13:03.78 in the 5000m at the 2024 Track Fest and running shoulder-to-shoulder with elite names like Grant Fisher. Known for his relentless pace and strategic racing, Graham has become a symbol of grit and excellence on the track.

But behind every great athlete is often someone special who keeps them grounded and inspired. And in Graham’s case, that someone is his girlfriend, Isabelle “Issy” Goldstein. Curious to know more about the woman cheering from the sidelines? Let’s take a closer look at Issy and her role in Graham’s life.

Meet Isabelle “Issy” Goldstein: Graham Blanks’ girlfriend

Isabelle “Issy” Goldstein is not only Graham Blanks’ girlfriend but also a standout athlete in her own right. Goldstein is from Ambler, Pennsylvania, and is a track and field and cross-country athlete for Harvard University. She specializes in steeplechase and long-distance events. Beyond track? Beyond her athletic prowess, Goldstein is a dedicated student and is currently pursuing a degree in history and literature at Harvard. That’s not it; since September 2023, Goldstein has been serving as a Research Assistant at Harvard, contributing to academic projects alongside her studies.  

What is Isabelle “Issy” Goldstein’s profession?

Isabelle “Issy” Goldstein has truly made her mark as a rising star in track and field. Her athletic journey on track is nothing short of amazing. During the 2021–22 season, she clocked some impressive personal bests—running the mile in 4:45.75 and the 1500m short track in 4:26.30 at the BU David Hemery Valentine Invitational. Shifting to the outdoor season, Issy took things up a notch.

Isabelle “Issy” Goldstein earned silver medals in the 3000m steeplechase at both the Ivy Outdoor Championships (10:28.41) and the IC4A/ECAC Outdoor Championships (10:09.41), proving she can rise to the occasion when it counts most. But her athletic journey began long before college. Well, she was a standout multi-sport varsity athlete at Germantown Academy in Ambler, Pennsylvania. She used to compete in swimming, cross-country, and indoor/outdoor track. She didn’t just participate; she led the way, serving as captain of the outdoor track team in her junior and senior years, and heading both the cross country and indoor track teams as a senior. Her list of honors is equally impressive.

Issy was a four-time All-League and All-State honoree in cross country and a three-time All-League honoree in track and field. In 2019, she was named MVP of both the track and cross country league meets. Not to mention, she earned All-American honors in the mile twice, qualified for the prestigious Millrose Mile twice, and also holds school records in the 5K and indoor mile. She even holds league and PAISAA records in the 3200m.

When Harvard Track and Field announced its incoming recruits, Isabelle Goldstein stood out with her stellar stats—mile in 4:46.44 and 3000m in 9:45.09. With her dedication, talent, and leadership, it’s no wonder she’s become a standout at Harvard and a supportive presence beside her partner, Graham Blanks.

How did Graham Blanks and Isabelle “Issy” Goldstein meet?

According to Goldstein’s Instagram posts, Blanks and Goldstein have been friends since February 2021, and it is possible they began their relationship shortly after that. However, neither of them has publicly claimed to be in a relationship, so the exact date of their relationship remains unknown.