Eric Jenkins

Collegiate competition Jenkins enrolled in Northeastern University, where he made an immediate impact for the school's cross country team when he placed third overall at the 2011 CAA Cross Country Championships.

In the summer of 2013, Jenkins transferred to the University of Oregon. While a student and runner with Oregon, he won the men's 3K and 5K at the 2015 NCAA DI Indoor T&F Championships. During this time, a rivalry formed between him and his teammate Edward Cheserek, who would finish either closely behind or ahead of Jenkins in several races.

Eric is a two-time NCAA indoor champion; All-America honors every year in track and cross country; NCAA cross country runner-up, three NCAA track team titles, and the second-fastest 5,000 in NCAA history.) After graduating in June, Jenkins signed with Nike and headed to Europe, where he notched personal bests in the 3,000 meters (7:41.79) as well as in the 5,000 (13:07.33). Later he placed fourth in the 5000 m at the U.S. Olympic Trials and failed to qualify. On September 3, 2016, Jenkins won the Fifth Avenue Mile in a time of 3:49.5, narrowly defeating the previous year's winner, Matt Centrowitz, by 0.1 seconds. On January 14, 2017, Jenkins won the Seattle UW Preview Mile in 3:58.68.

On February 11, 2017, Jenkins won the Millrose Games Wanamaker Mile with a time of 3:53.23, he defeated Olympic bronze medalist Clayton Murphy by over a second. This was Jenkins' first Wanamaker title. On February 26, Jenkins finished second at the Boston BU Last Chance Meet in 13:05.85. Jenkins’ effort was the top time in the United States in 2017.

On May 7, 2017, Jenkins won the Payton Jordan Invitational 1500m in 3:38.30, outdistancing top Americans such as Evan Jager, Izaic Yorks, and Brandon Kidder. On May 18, 2017, Jenkins won the Los Angeles USATF Distance Classic in 3:36.51.On June 11 Jenkins won the Portland Track Festival in 3:37.55. In doing so he beat out many talented domestic competitors, such as Sam Prakel, Lopez Lomong, Riley Masters, and Ryan Hill.

On June 23, Jenkins finished second in the USATF Championships 5000m final behind Paul Chelimo to qualify for the 2017 IAAF World Championships in Athletics. On July 22, 2017, Jenkins placed 6th at the Heusden-Zolder KBC Night of Athletics 1500m in Belgium in 3:37.92. Jenkins’ race result at the Heusden-Zolder KBC Night of Athletics ended a nearly ten month long undefeated streak at 1500m and Mile distance races, including a Wanamaker Mile and Fifth Avenue Mile title and wins against the reigning Olympic 1500m Champion Matthew Centrowitz and Olympic 800m bronze medalist Clayton Murphy. On August 9, 2017, Jenkins finished tenth in his heat of the 5000m at the 2017 IAAF World Championships.

Jenkins announced his retirement in 2023 after competing professionally for eight years. In an interview, he reflected on his retirement, stating: "I really gave it everything. It just felt like the right time. My body hasn’t held up to the training necessary to compete."

Post-retirement career Jenkins is a commentator at Citius Mag, where he hosts a podcast called "Off the Rails" with Aisha Praught-Leer.