The Measure of a Legacy: How Sam Prakel is Redefining Success in Distance Running

By: Jacob Infald

American distance running fans all know the name Sam Prakel, a veteran in the sport who has qualified for seven U.S. finals in the 1500 and has represented the United States twice at the Indoor World Championships. As Prakel embarks on his eighth summer of racing as a professional, he continues to improve while also establishing a legacy that will go far beyond the times he runs and races he wins. 

An athlete’s legacy in mainstream sports is challenging to define, and this is evident with debates surrounding ring culture in sports. In team sports such as the NBA, are Michael Jordan’s six rings more impressive than Lebron James’s four? There is no correct answer to this question, and that is why the greatest of all time debate is just that, a debate. 

In track and field, there is one winner every race, only three athletes receive medals at the Olympics and World Championships, and only three athletes can qualify to represent team USA at the Olympics and Outdoor World Championships. The definition of legacy for a track and field athlete appears to be a lot more cut and dry compared to a sport such as basketball, but Prakel has proven that winning is not the end all be all in a sport where winning is seemingly everything. 

Prakel has never qualified for team USA in those seven finals, and despite running a personal best at the time of 3:33.08 in the 1500 semifinals at last summer’s USATF Championship, Prakel was only able to finish ninth in the final, running his second fastest time of his career at the time of 3:33.70. While it was another summer where that team USA singlet eluded Prakel, he walked away with his head held high. Prakel said that his younger self would maybe be more upset that he never made a USA outdoor team, but over the course of his long career, he has had to redefine his definition of success.

“As I’ve gotten older, I think I’ve started to maybe care less about the external definitions of a successful career like making the Olympics, and more just am I getting the most out of myself in every single race, and have I reached my potential, and that’s what keeps me motivated,” Prakel told The Extra Mile.

On top of redefining what success means for himself on the track, Prakel has also taken a step back to redefine success off the track. 

Prakel’s training situation is unique, as after graduating from the University of Oregon in 2018, he wanted to remain with his college coach Andy Powell, who Prakel said is one of, if not the best 1500/mile coach in the world. In the summer of 2018, Powell accepted the head coaching position at the University of Washington. With the support of Prakel’s new professional sponsor Adidas, he said it was a no-brainer and he packed his bags and traveled to Seattle to train under Powell.

“When I graduated college, I envisioned my career as someone who has stability and I feel like staying with the same coach provides that stability,” Prakel said. “I’ve been lucky to stay with the same sponsor too [for] my whole career, so I think both those things contribute to my consistency.”

While training in Seattle with and around the University of Washington team, Prakel got to witness, and help guide three different NCAA champions in the 1500 and the mile. Two of those national champions, Joe Waskom and Nathan Green followed in Prakel’s path, signing professionally with Adidas and staying in Seattle after graduation to train under Coach Powell. 

Waskom said upon arriving to Washington as a freshman in 2019, it was an unbelievable experience having Prakel around, who already had a mile personal best of 3:50. Waskom said he learned a lot just from watching Prakel’s everyday routines at practice.

“No matter if you were one of the best guys on the team, or if you had just got to Seattle, Sam was always there to answer any questions we had and support us in any way he could,” Waskom told The Extra Mile. “[Prakel] is one of the most genuine and supportive teammates I’ll ever have and [is] a great role model to look up to.”

Prakel said Waskom’s 1500 title at the 2022 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships felt like a validation that everything the training group had been doing was working. Prakel said the success of athletes such as Waskom and Green at the NCAA level is a testament to Powell’s coaching, and it has been really fun to have a first-hand witness of that success.

“I just provide some mentorship…some wisdom and experience,” Prakel said. “Running’s great because when you’re out for a run there’s no distractions…you’re just out for an hour…an hour and a half sometimes, with just conversation, so really getting to know these guys has been a great joy and I do what I can to help but I can’t take too much credit.”

In addition to Prakel’s friendships and mentorships, he said he also values all of the traveling he has been able to while competing as a professional runner. After opening his outdoor 1500 season with a personal best of 3:32.76 at the Paavo Nurmi Games in Finland on June 3, Prakel has competed in 17 different countries.

Prakel said whenever he finishes his career, what he will remember most is the places he traveled to and all of the connections he has made around the world, because he would not have been able to do that without running.

“[Running is] a common language,” Prakel said. “Even if you don’t share the same language as someone, a track is still 400 meters, everyone runs the same events, so [running] does bring people together…it’s truly a global sport.”

Prakel is turning 32 years old at the end of the year, and the personal best at the Paavo Nurmi Games shows despite being on the other side of 30, he is showing no signs of slowing down. Prakel said while he is older, he feels like his age and experience gives him a new advantage, because he knows his body better than ever. He said he feels this gives him room to grow in the sport, and he believes there are opportunities for more personal bests and teams to make, which provide him with continued motivation, even in year eight on the professional scene. 

Waskom said Prakel’s consistent presence is important as distance running tries to gain mainstream traction as a sport. Waskom said regardless of whether Prakel wins, he is always in the mix and that makes his races more exciting.

“I think Sam’s legacy is going to be both that he is Mr. Consistent…but also [is] a true role model for how you should be as an athlete,” Waskom said. “He is humble, selfless, genuine, inspiring and truly wants the best for others around him. I wouldn’t be where I am today in the sport without [Prakel], and I’m so thankful for everything he’s done for me.”

Prakel said he has found it is important to find meaning beyond racing as a professional runner. For him, he said a new motivator is helping others reach their full potential in the sport, whether that be his newly professional training partners, or any runner who may watch his races and look up to him. 

“I feel like [running’s] different from other team or ball sports where that’s mostly entertainment for the fans, but running is maybe a more relatable thing to a lot of people,” Prakel said. “I feel like that’s an important part of legacy too, is just inspiring people to get out there and go for an easy run in the park or get back to it if you’ve been away for a while.”

Prakel will continue to build his legacy as he has multiple races lined up in Europe in preparation for the USATF Outdoor Championships that will take place July 23-26. Prakel will continue to chase a top three finish at a U.S. Outdoor Championship while also establishing his purpose in the sport outside of just his results.