From High School Phenom to National Champion: Inside Jackson Spencer’s Historic NXN Run

In a year packed with breakout stars, one name has refused to fade from the headlines: Jackson Spencer.

Herriman High’s own just won the 2025 NXN Boys 5K championship with a time of 15:01.1, cementing himself as the top high school distance runner in the country and making a case to be in the mix with the best in the NCAA next year.

In 2025, Jackson became the name every prep distance fan needed to know. The Utah standout, who is headed to BYU next year, had an impressive spring season, where he unleashed a 4:02.56 mile and 3:46.22 1500m at the HOKA Festival of Miles–performances that placed him among the fastest prep milers in the country.

By late fall, Jackson was smashing the Woodward Park course record with a 14:16.9. Now, with an NXN title capping off a historic year, he stands at the edge of an entirely new chapter. The times, the records, the dominance–they’re all real.

Whether you’re here for training insights, race breakdowns, or a front-row seat to the making of America’s next collegiate star, this episode delivers.

Tap into the Jackson Spencer Special.

If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it.

Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen.

If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!

S H O W N O T E S

-The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs

-Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run

-THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ

-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz