Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 29, 2026

Will Sumner

Will Sumner is an American middle-distance runner who specializes in the 800 metres. He competed for the Georgia Bulldogs before turning professional in 2023.

Last revised
Jun 29, 2026
Read time
≈ 2 min
Length
525 w
Citations
10
Source
Wikipedia ↗
Will Sumner
Personal information
NationalityAmerican
Born (2003-10-22) 22 October 2003
Sport
SportAthletics
Event800m
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)400m:: 45.42 (Memphis, 2025)
800m: 1:44.26 (Austin, 2023)
Medal record
Men's athletics
Representing  United States
World U20 Championships
Gold medal – first place 2022 Cali 4x400 m mixed relay
Gold medal – first place 2022 Cali 4x400 m relay
NACAC U23 Championships
Gold medal – first place 2023 San Jose Mixed 4x400 m relay

Will Sumner (born 22 October 2003) is an American middle-distance runner who specializes in the 800 metres.1 He competed for the Georgia Bulldogs before turning professional in 2023.

Career

In high school, Sumner ran the third fastest ever 800 meter time outdoors in 1:46.53, as well as the second fastest ever indoors in 1:48.14. Sumner won the 800m race at the NCAA Championships in June 2023, running a personal best time of 1:44.26. This was also the second fastest freshman collegiate time ever, the fifth fastest overall in NCAA history, the second-fastest in meet history, breaking the stadium record set in 2019 by Bryce Hoppel and placed him third fastest in the world in the year.23 Competing at the 2023 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, in Eugene, Oregon, he reached the final of the 800m competition, where he finished fifth.4 was a gold medalist at the 2023 U23 NACAC Championships in San Jose, Costa Rica, in the mixed 4 × 400 m relay alongside Bailey Lear, Caleb Cavanaugh, and Kiah Williams.5

In February 2025, he won the 600 metres at the Millrose Games in New York City in a meeting record time of 1:14.04.67 On 12 July 2025, he lowered his personal best to 45.42 seconds for the 400 metres at the Ed Murphey Track Classic, a World Athletics Continental Tour Silver event, in Memphis, Tennessee.8

Personal life

Sumner attended Woodstock High School in Georgia. His parents were also athletes, with father Brad and mother Tosha both being NCAA champions and multiple-time All-Americans. He has a sister called Brynne. He is a keen piano player.9

Sponsorship

In July 2023, Sumner announced that he was turning professional and had signed a sponsorship deal with Adidas.10

References

References

  1. "Will Sumner". World Athletics. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  2. "Men's 800: The future has arrived; Will Sumner negative splits a 1:44.26". Lets Run. 10 June 2023. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  3. Battaglia, Joe (10 June 2023). "Georgia Freshman Will Sumner Blazes To 800m Title At NCAA Championships". Flotrack. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  4. "Men's 800m Results: USATF Outdoor Championships 2023". Watch Athletics. July 7, 2023. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  5. "CAVANAUGH'S DOUBLE, BRAHE-PEDERSEN'S RECORD, 5,000 AND SHOT PUT SWEEPS PART OF 11 U.S. GOLDS TO OPEN NACAC U23 CHAMPIONSHIPS". Runnerspace. 11 July 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  6. Henderson, Jason (Feb 8, 2025). "Nuguse and Fisher run world indoor records at Millrose Games". Athletics Weekly. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  7. "Sumner posts meet record to win men's 600m". nbcsports. February 8, 2025. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  8. Johnson, Robert (July 12, 2025). "Quincy Wilson Blasts 44.10 PB, Athing Mu Improves To 2:00.42, T'Mars McCallum Runs 9.87w/19.73 WL at Ed Murphey Classic". Lets Run. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
  9. Devine, Dave (March 2, 2022). "TEMPO MARKING: WILL SUMNER HITS ALL THE RIGHT NOTES". Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  10. "Georgia Freshman Will Sumner Goes Pro". flotrack.org. July 8, 2023. Retrieved July 9, 2023.