Emmanuel Leblond made history on November 18, 2023, by winning the NCAA Division III cross country title in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The senior runner from Johns Hopkins University fulfilled a long-held dream by capturing the program’s first national championship in cross country, crossing the finish line with a time of 23 minutes, 35.0 seconds.
Reflecting on his achievement, Leblond expressed a mix of emotions. “I think the best way to express my feelings is a healthy mix of thankfulness, shock, and a lot of joy,” he stated via email. Since his freshman year, he had aimed for this moment, emphasizing the significance of cross country as particularly special to him.
With this victory, Leblond became the 18th runner in NCAA Division III history to earn four consecutive All-American honors. Throughout the season, he demonstrated remarkable skill, remaining undefeated against his Division III competitors and finishing behind only seven runners, all from Division I schools, among a field of 1,122 competitors.
Leblond’s performance not only set a new championship record but also propelled the Blue Jays to a sixth-place finish in the team standings, marking the program’s second-highest finish ever. The previous championship record of 23:35.4 was set in 2015, showcasing Leblond’s exceptional talent and determination.
Despite facing challenges, including a cold just days before the race, Leblond executed a well-planned strategy. He started strong, running fifth through the initial kilometer and advancing to second by the 4-kilometer mark. In the final stretch, he and Augsburg’s Mohammed Bati broke away from the pack. With approximately one kilometer remaining, Leblond managed to pull ahead in the last 400 meters, finishing four seconds faster than Bati.
“It was incredibly painful,” Leblond said about the sprint to the finish. “I was sucking wind the last kilometer and felt like I couldn’t get enough air to my lungs, but managed to create a small gap over that final hill 350 out and held it all the way to the finish.”
While he acknowledged the pressure of being a top contender, Leblond maintained a positive outlook. “I was coming in ranked first or second depending on the polls, but I was aware that I had lost to four of the runners the year before and that they were hungry to win as well,” he commented. “My goal was ultimately to have as much fun as possible with it as it was my last collegiate cross country race no matter what!”
Leblond’s victory is not just a personal triumph but also a significant milestone for Johns Hopkins University, showcasing the university’s burgeoning athletic prowess. As he concludes his collegiate career, his legacy will inspire future runners within the program.
