Photo: Paulmerca—CC BY-SA 3.0
Lopez Lomong
- Born
- Jan 1, 1985 (41 years old)
- Birthplace
- South Sudan, South Sudan
- Events
- Mile Short Track · 5000 Metres Short Track
- Height
- 1.80 m
- Weight
- 69 kg
Lopez Lomong is a South Sudanese-born American middle-distance runner born on January 5, 1985. Standing 180 cm and weighing 69 kg, he specializes in the 1500 metres. Lomong was one of the Lost Boys of Sudan who came to the United States at age 16 and became a U.S. citizen in 2007.
Lomong qualified for the 2008 Summer Olympics in the 1500 metres at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon. He was selected as the flag bearer for the United States during the 2008 Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony, a remarkable honor given his journey from war-torn Sudan to representing his adopted country on the world's biggest sporting stage.
Beyond athletics, Lomong has been an advocate for humanitarian causes as a member of Team Darfur, urging China to address the crisis in Sudan. His autobiography, Running for My Life, co-written with Mark Tabb, was published in 2012, sharing his inspiring story of survival, perseverance, and athletic achievement.
As of Oct 27, 2026: Mile Short Track 3:51.21, 5000 Metres Short Track 13:07.00, 2022 season best 3:43.97 (Jun 11, 2022, Griswold Stadium, Portland, OR (USA)) · Last competition: AJC Peachtree Road Race, Jul 4, 2022, 28:39 · National record (4x1500 Metres Relay) · 41 years old
Personal bests
WA points calculator →Progression
| Season | Discipline | Result | Wind | Date | Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1500m | 3:43.97 | – | Jun 11, 2022 | Portland Track Festival |
| 2022 | 5000m-short-track | 13:07.40 | – | Feb 12, 2022 | – |
| 2022 | 5000m Indoor | 13:07.40 | – | Feb 12, 2022 | Boston Univ. Track & Tennis Center, Boston, MA (USA) (i) |
| 2022 | 5000m-short-track Indoor | 13:07.40 | – | Feb 12, 2022 | Boston Univ. Track & Tennis Center, Boston, MA (USA) (i) |
| 2022 | 10000m | 27:39.96 | – | Mar 6, 2022 | JSerra Catholic HS, San Juan Capistrano, CA (USA) |
| 2022 | 10Kilometr | 28:39 | – | Jul 4, 2022 | AJC Peachtree Road Race |
| 2021 | 5000m | 13:26.11 | – | May 29, 2021 | Griswold Stadium, Portland, OR (USA) |
| 2020 | 600m | 1:22.04 | – | Jul 21, 2020 | Jesuit High School Track, Portland, OR (USA) |