Cole Hocker wins U.S. indoor 3000m title

Olympic 1500m gold medalist edges fellow Olympians Yared Nuguse and Nico Young

Mar. 3, 2026 at 4:47am

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Cole Hocker, the Olympic 1500m gold medalist and world outdoor 5000m champion, won the U.S. indoor 3000m title on Saturday, overtaking Yared Nuguse and Nico Young in the final lap. Hocker clocked 7:39.25, just ahead of Nuguse (7:39.28) and Young (7:39.29).

Why it matters

Hocker's victory extends his perfect USA Track and Field Indoor Championships record, having swept the 1500m and 3000m in 2022 and winning the 1500m again in 2024. The USATF Indoor Championships also serve as a qualifying meet for the World Indoor Championships, where nations can qualify up to two spots per individual event, plus a possible third if an athlete earned a World Indoor Tour wild card.

The details

Hocker overtook Nuguse and Young in the final lap of the race, which took place in Staten Island, New York. Two weeks ago, Hocker broke Nuguse's American record in the indoor mile, running 3:45.94 to lower the record by .69 seconds.

  • The USA Track and Field Indoor Championships concluded on Sunday, February 28, 2026.
  • Hocker won the U.S. indoor 3000m title on Saturday, February 27, 2026.

The players

Cole Hocker

The Olympic 1500m gold medalist and world outdoor 5000m champion.

Yared Nuguse

An Olympian who finished second in the U.S. indoor 3000m race.

Nico Young

An Olympian who finished third in the U.S. indoor 3000m race.

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What they’re saying

“Hocker is undefeated in his USATF Indoor Championships career, sweeping the 1500m and 3000m in 2022 and winning the 1500m again in 2024.”

— Nick Zaccardi, Author

What’s next

Hocker and Nuguse are also entered in the 1500m on Sunday, which will be live on NBC and Peacock from 1-3 p.m. ET.

The takeaway

Cole Hocker's continued dominance at the USATF Indoor Championships, including his latest victory in the 3000m, solidifies his status as one of the top distance runners in the United States and sets him up for a potential strong showing at the upcoming World Indoor Championships.