Rising Stars: Ryan P.

Thirteen-year-old Ryan Pollard has quickly become one of the toughest competitors on the Elevated Distance Training team. The Fox Ridge eighth grader brings a rare combination of focus, discipline, and fire to every practice — traits that have helped him drop impressive times and establish himself as a rising force in youth distance running.

Ryan’s personal records speak to his dedication: 2:19 in the 800m, 5:07 in the mile, and 19:13 for the 5K. He’s been training with Elevated for nearly two years, and his steady progression shows what happens when determination meets consistent effort. His favorite event, the 800 meters, perfectly suits his mindset — all-out effort from start to finish. “You can just go for it,” he says, and that’s exactly how he races.

Looking ahead, Ryan has his eyes set on big goals — breaking the 5-minute barrier in the mile and earning All-American honors in cross country. Both would be major milestones, but his recent 11th-place finish at the regional championships proves he’s already on the right path. That race, which helped his team claim a first-place finish, remains one of his proudest moments.

What separates Ryan is his grit. He embraces the grind, thrives under pressure, and understands that growth comes from discomfort. His advice to new runners captures his mentality perfectly:

“You have to be willing to take the pain — it’ll only suck for a little bit.” 

Off the course, Ryan brings energy and lightheartedness to the team. He’s known for cracking jokes on runs and keeping spirits high, but behind the humor is an athlete deeply driven by his goals. When he’s not training, he enjoys water skiing and making highlight-worthy one-handed football catches — a reminder that his athletic ability goes well beyond running.

Ryan’s pre-race fuel is spaghetti and meatballs, post-race reward is gummies, and his favorite ChicknLegs design is the orange snail — a playful nod to his speed. For Ryan, the best part of being on EDT is the supportive atmosphere and team spirit that pushes everyone to be better.

Ryan Pollard is an athlete on the rise — hardworking, resilient, and hungry for more. With his determination and drive, the best is yet to come.