PUYALLUP, Wash. — When Olympic runner Hassan Mead was going to junior high in Puyallup, he dreamed of playing in the NBA. But as his hoop dreams faded, he started to become an elite long-distance runner.
Now Mead is making a run to compete in his second Olympic games.
In 2016, Mead competed in the 5,000-meter race in Rio. Even though Mead didn't medal, he said being in the Olympics was a magical ride, and it all started with the opening ceremony.
"We entered and I think we forgot that we were with our teammates and everyone was just wondering, walking circles, because when you enter, the lights are everywhere,” Mead said. “The whole setup is incredible. You kind of just get lost, and it's like a kid being at a state fair or something. You just let go, and that was us. We were a bunch of kids at a Disney World, in a way.”
As a teenager in Puyallup, Mead first learned to run on a dirt track at Stahl Junior High.
"That’s where it all began,” Mead said. “The dirt track – that's where I started. I mean, I was introduced when I was in California young and younger at that point, but I would say that was where I knew it can become something,” Mead said.
Mead moved on to Emerald Ridge High School. During his first full season of cross country he placed 10th at the 2005 state championship. But at Emerald Ridge Mead also learned to work as a team and about having fun.
"We just had fun. We did the workouts, we threw up together and we had a good time together, and if I could give anybody any advice I would say enjoy cross country, enjoy track and field, because that's what it's all about ,and then, you can get all serious later," said Mead.
And for Mead, it would get serious. At the University of Minnesota, he was a nine-time Big Ten champ and eight-time All-American.
Now at the age of 30 he's trying to make his second Olympics team. Mead competes in the 5,000-meter event, which is 12 ½ times around a standard track. Thirteen minutes and 2 seconds is Mead's best time. The world record in the 5,000 is 12 minutes and 37 seconds.
"For me, I think it's just a drive, the competitiveness and you know coming in and going against my buddies and not losing,” Mead said. “You know, you got to pick your day. You have a competitive nature and I'm still – I'm good at it, and I keep doing it, and the day I'm no longer good at it or I'm not hanging with the top then I think I'll let someone else come in.”
Mead needs to finish in the top three at the U.S. Olympic trials in Eugene, Oregon in June to make the team for the Summer Olympics.