Murphy Smith

Murphy Smith is an American long-distance runner, a commissioned ensign in the United States Navy, and a professional marathoner representing the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) High Performance Racing Team. Raised in Charlotte, North Carolina, he competed collegiately for the Navy Midshipmen from 2021 to 2025, where he won multiple Patriot League championships.

Early life Smith attended Ardrey Kell High School in Mecklenburg County, where he competed in cross country and track and field. In 2020, he won the NCHSAA 4A State Cross Country Championship with a time of 15:44.65. Following an undefeated senior season, he was named the 2021 North Carolina Gatorade Boys Cross Country Player of the Year.

Collegiate career Smith attended the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, majoring in quantitative economics.

During his senior track season in 2025, Smith set Navy school records in the indoor 3,000 meters (7:55.05), indoor 5,000 meters (13:45.12), and outdoor 10,000 meters (28:23.81). He concluded his collegiate career by earning Second-Team All-American honors after placing 13th in the 10,000 meters at the 2025 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

In December 2025, Smith debuted in the marathon at the California International Marathon in Sacramento, California. He placed 10th overall in the USATF Championship field with a time of 2:11:58, meeting the qualification standard for the 2028 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. In April 2026, he competed as an elite runner in the 130th Boston Marathon, finishing with a personal best time of 2:08:58.

Personal bests Event Time Venue Year Indoor 3,000m 7:55.05 Wesley A. Brown Invitational 2025 Indoor 5,000m 13:45.12 David Hemery Valentine Invitational 2025 Outdoor 10,000m 28:23.81 Raleigh Relays 2025 Half marathon 1:02:49 Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon 2025 Marathon 2:08:58 Boston Marathon 2026