Russell Wolf Brown

Russell Wolf Brown (born March 6, 1985) is an American former professional athlete who competed in the 1 mile and 1500 meter events.

Early life Raised in Hanover, New Hampshire, Brown began running track events at age ten. He attended Hanover High School where he initially played lacrosse, soccer, and ice hockey. He won the 800 m at Hershey's National Final in 1999 and both the 3200 m relay and 800 m at USATF Junior Olympics in 2001. He anchored the 3200m Relay to wins at the USATF Junior Olympics in 2001, 2002 and 2003. Russell's 800 m split in the 2003 race was 1:49. In his sophomore year he was recruited by the cross country team. He began to focus exclusively on running after being impressed with the mature attitudes toward competition that he saw on the track team. In the spring of his senior year, during the state championship meet against all other Class I schools in New Hampshire, Brown won the 400-, 800-, 1600- and 3,200-meter events.

College career Brown entered Stanford University in 2003 as a redshirt freshman. He competed in the 2008 U.S. Olympic trials, but did not qualify for the Olympics. He trained to qualify for the 2012 Olympics, however.

The next season proved to be Brown's most successful as a professional. Before the season, he dealt with his injuries by taking extra time off and doing strengthening drills. In February 2011 Brown finished first in the mile race at the New Balance Boston Indoor Grand Prix, defeating favorites Willis and Alan Webb in a personal best time of three minutes and fifty-four seconds. He broke Steve Scott's stadium record at the Mt. SAC Relays in April, running 3:35.70 minutes for the 1500 m in 2011.

Brown competed in the 2013 Maccabiah Games and won the silver medal in the 1500 m there.

Personal life Russell Brown is married to former Stanford University women's volleyball player Nji Nnamani, the younger sister of Ogonna Nnamani.