Running with Purpose
Ben Blankenship is redefining what it means to go the distance. The Olympian, world record holder, and Eugene-Springfield local has made a name for himself by pushing the boundaries of human potential. Yet, despite his elite athletic achievements, Ben’s greatest impact may be found in what he is giving back to the Springfield community.
Ben became a world record holder in 2015, running the 1600m anchor of the men's distance medley. The following year, Ben competed on sports’ biggest stage at the Olympics in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, where he placed eighth in the world in the men's 1500m. Ben considers himself “a man of the mile,” and he’s right. He joined the sub-four-minute-mile club as a college athlete in 2010, clocking one mile at 3:57.83 (he has since beaten his own record at 3:52.7). Fourteen years later, not only is Ben still running, but he’s running competitive ultramarathons (100 miles, to be exact). While this jump in mileage is very atypical of elite athletes, challenging what’s possible is pretty much what Ben is all about, and he’s found creative ways to use his affinity for redefining “possible” to inspire future generations in Springfield.
Passing the Torch
Ben’s love for running began when he participated in an all-comers meet at 12 years old. Because of that experience, Ben knows how impactful accessible programs and passionate coaches can be in kids’ lives, and he gives back to the sport by coaching middle school track and field with Willamalane. As if having an Olympian as a track and field coach isn’t cool enough, Endless Mileage, a nonprofit Ben founded, has donated incredible amounts of running gear and apparel to kids in need.
“Ben has been coaching sixth to eighth-grade track and field with Willamalane for two and a half years and the impact he has had in that time is unbelievable. Willamalane is lucky to have a coach like Ben, who has such a big heart,” said Spenser Lind, Willamalane Recreation Athletics Supervisor.
The Fast Forest
Coaching young athletes isn’t the only way Ben has supported parks and recreation in Springfield. In 2022, Ben approached Willamalane with an innovative and mutually beneficial idea to create a Fast Forest. The Fast Forest is a creative partnership that honors elite track athletes while supporting the restoration of our community's beloved historic orchards at Dorris Ranch. For every American athlete to run a mile under four minutes or four minutes and thirty seconds, Endless Mileage donates the cost of a filbert tree to Willamalane. For their part, Willamalane uses that donation to purchase, plant, and foster blight-resistant filbert trees. To date, 755 filbert trees now stand in the Fast Forest at Dorris Ranch, each adorning a tag with the athlete’s name, mile time, and the date and location of their achievement.
Running a mile in under four minutes was once a very rare accomplishment, but today it has become more common for elite runners. Ben notes that as you travel through the orchards, the dates of each achievement become closer and closer together, with athletes eventually achieving this milestone one day after another. The Fast Forest demonstrates a sort of trickle-down effect. He says, “When you see someone do the impossible, everything becomes possible.”
Willamalane and the greater Eugene-Springfield community are fortunate to have active community members like Ben Blankenship supporting parks and recreation in meaningful ways. From coaching middle schoolers on the track to helping restore the historic Dorris Ranch orchards, Ben uses his passion for running to inspire future generations and strengthen his community.
Youth Sports with Willamalane
Willamalane partners with Springfield Public Schools elementary and middle schools to provide convenient, affordable, after-school sports opportunities for kids of all abilities and skill levels.
Coming up:
Spring sports registration closes soon! Sign up before April 23.
Willamalane is Hiring!
We're looking for passionate coaches like Ben to join our team— running super fast is not a requirement.