To say the summer of 2026 has been a season of learning for Pulaski Academy's rising sophomore Miller Crum would be an understatement. Competing against the best half milers in the nation, Crum ran a personal record 1:58.09 on Saturday at the New Balance Outdoor Nationals in Philadelphia.
Crum's previous personal best came at the RunningLane Track Championships in Huntsville, Alabama where he won the freshmen boys' 800 meters with a time of 1:59.32.
His time on Saturday moves Crum to the No. 2 spot on the Arkansas' freshmen boys 800 meter list. Only Bentonville's Liam Wisler (1:54.52) has run faster.
Not only is Crum the No. 2 Arkansas freshman in the 800 meters this year. He is the No. 2 all-time, according to the MileSplit Arkansas database.
Crum also ran a personal best in the mile at New Balance with a time of 4:23.92, finishing fourth.
Boston is a long way from Texarkana, where Crum competed at the AAU District Qualifier a week ago Saturday. He won the 1500 meters (4:14) and 800 meters (2:04) in the 15-16 age group, but was disappointed in himself for lack of preparation. He ran the 1500 in New Balance tennis shoes after leaving his racing spikes at home.
Crum will now turn his attention to the AAU Region 16 Qualifier in Oklahoma City where he will look to punch his ticket to the AAU National Junior Olympics, which will be held the first week of August in Des Moines, Iowa.
