Mario García (runner) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Mario García

Personal information
Nickname(s)	"The Rocket"
Born	(1999-06-29) 29 June 1999 (age 25) Salamanca, Spain
Height	183 cm
Weight	64 kg
Sport
Country	Spain
Sport	Middle-distance running
Event(s)	1500 metres
University team	Ole Miss Rebels
Club	On Athletics Club
Turned pro	2022
Coached by	Dathan Ritzenhein
Medal record Men's athletics Representing  Spain European Championships Bronze 2022 Munich 1500 m European U23 Championships Silver 2021 Tallinn 1500 m

Mario García Romo (born on June 29, 1999) is a talented Spanish middle-distance runner. He is best known for competing in the 1500 metres race. In 2022, he became the national champion in this event.

Mario has proudly represented Spain at the World Athletics Championships. He competed in the 1500 m race in both 2022 and 2023, showing great skill by finishing fourth and sixth. Before becoming a professional athlete, Mario ran for the University of Mississippi. There, he won a national title in the mile race at the 2022 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships. After finishing college in 2022, he joined the On Athletics Club as a professional runner for On Running.

Early Life and College Sports

Mario García grew up in Villar de Gallimazo, a small town in Spain with only about 200 people. In 2018, he moved to the United States to study chemistry at the University of Mississippi. While at the university, he competed in sports through the NCAA. His older brother, Jamie, also played sports in the NCAA for Eastern Kentucky University.

During his time at the University of Mississippi, Mario was a seven-time NCAA Division I All-American. This means he was recognized as one of the best college athletes in the country. He also won six championships in the Southeastern Conference for cross country and track.

One of his biggest wins was the national title in the indoor mile race at the 2022 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships. He ran the mile in 4 minutes and 7.54 seconds, just barely beating another runner named Morgan Beadlescomb. He also finished second in the 1500 m race at the 2022 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Even while still a student, Mario won a silver medal in the 1500 m at the 2021 European Athletics U23 Championships.

Professional Running Career

Mario García (second from right) competing in the 1500 m at the 2022 European Athletics Championships.

After graduating from college, Mario moved to Boulder, Colorado. There, he began training with coach Dathan Ritzenhein as part of the On Athletics Club.

2022 Season

At the Spanish National Championships, Mario won the 1500 meters race. His time of 3 minutes and 35.52 seconds qualified him for the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon. He performed very well, finishing fourth in the final race. Later that year, he earned a bronze medal in the 1500 m at the European Athletics Championships.

2023 Season

On June 15, Mario set a new personal best time in the 1500 m race at the Bislett Games. He finished fifth with an amazing time of 3 minutes and 29.18 seconds. The next month, he placed third in the Spanish Championships. This result qualified him for the 2023 World Championships in Budapest.

On August 23, he finished sixth in the 1500 final at these championships, with a time of 3 minutes and 30.26 seconds. A month later, on September 8, Mario set a new national record for Spain in the 2000 m race. His time was 4 minutes and 49.85 seconds. He ran his last track race of the year at the Prefontaine Classic, where he competed in the mile. He finished fourth with a time of 3 minutes and 47.69 seconds.

Achievements

All information below comes from Mario's World Athletics profile.

International Competitions

Year	Competition	Venue	Position	Event	Time
Representing  Spain
2017	European U20 Championships	Grosseto, Italy	9th	1500 m	3:58.89
2018	World U20 Championships	Tampere, Finland	22nd (h)	1500 m	3:52.70
2021	European U23 Championships	Tallinn, Estonia	2nd	1500 m	3:40.11
2022	World Championships	Eugene, United States	4th	1500 m	3:30.20
	European Championships	Munich, Germany	3rd	1500 m	3:34.88
2023	World Championships	Budapest, Hungary	6th	1500 m	3:30.26
2024	World Indoor Championships	Glasgow, United Kingdom	11th	1500 m	3:40.48
	European Championships	Rome, Italy	19th (h)	1500 m	3:44.30
	Olympic Games	Paris, France	11th (repechage)	1500 m	3:37.01

Personal Best Times

These are Mario's fastest times in different races.

Outdoor

• 800 m: 1:46.90 (Oxford, MS 2022)
• 1500 m: 3:29.18 (Oslo 2023)
• Mile: 3:47.69 (Eugene, OR)
• 2000 m: 4:49.85 (Brussels, Belgium 2023) NR (This is a National Record for Spain!)
• 3000 m: 7:47.56 (Nashville 2022)
• 5000 m: 13:56.69 (Memphis 2020)

Indoor

• 1500 m: 3:35.98 (New York City 2023)
• Mile: 3:51.79 (New York 2023) NR (Another National Record for Spain!)
• 3000 m: 7:34.74 (Boston, MA 2023)

NCAA College Achievements

Here are some of Mario's top achievements while competing for Ole Miss Rebels in college.

See also

In Spanish: Mario García Romo para niños