Luis Grijalva

Luis Miguel Grijalva (born 10 April 1999) is a Guatemalan long-distance runner. Born in Guatemala, he attended Armijo High School in Fairfield, California, where he was a state champion in cross country and track. He competed for Northern Arizona University from 2017 to 2021, securing multiple All-American finishes in the NCAA. In 2021, Grijalva began competing professionally, sponsored by Hoka One One. At the 2020 Summer Olympics, he finished 12th in the 5000m. He also finished fourth in the 5000m at both the 2022 and 2023 World Athletics Championships.

High school and college
Grijalva was a state champion in cross country while attending Armijo High School, winning Division 1 of the 2016 CIF State Cross Country Championships. He was also an All-American at the Foot Locker Cross Country Championships. On the track, Grijalva won the 1600m state championship in 2017, and he recorded high school personal bests of 4:02 in the mile and 8:46 for 2 miles. His senior year, Grijalva signed a letter of intent to compete for Northern Arizona University (NAU), beginning in fall 2017.

While at NAU, Grijalva raced four times in the NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships, improving from a 60th place finish his freshman year to a 9th place finish his senior year. His efforts helped lead the school to three national titles. On the track, Grijalva primarily specialized in the 5000m. In his final collegiate race, he finished second in the 2021 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships, behind Cooper Teare. His time of 13:13.14 was among the top 5 fastest times ever run by a collegian in the event, and it surpassed the Olympic standard of 13:13.50.

2021
In June 2021, Grijalva turned professional after securing a sponsorship deal with shoe company HOKA ONE ONE, and he remained in Flagstaff, Arizona to continue training under his college coach, Mike Smith. He was slated to represent Guatemala in the 5000m of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in August. However, his status as a DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipient posed challenges for his travel outside the United States, as DACA beneficiaries risk denial of reentry if they leave the country. This situation garnered national attention. Ultimately, Grivalija received special permission from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to leave and compete. He went on to finish in 12th place in the 5000m final.

2022
Grijalva competed internationally in June over 3000m on the Diamond League, running to a time of 7:38.67 and a sixth place finish in Stockholm, Sweden. He also contested the 5000m at the Bislett Games in Oslo, Norway, finishing eleventh. In July, Grijalva represented Guatemala at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon. His time of 13:10.44 led him to a fourth place finish.

2023
Grijalva competed in several European races during June and July, including at the Golden Gala Pietro Mennea meet in Italy. At that Diamond League event, the athlete ran a new personal best of 12:52.97 for 5000m, earning him third place. Later that summer, Grijalva represented Guatemala at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungry. He placed 4th for the second time in the 5000m of a global championship, just 0.22 second shy of bronze medalist Jakob Krop of Kenya.

On September 17th, he competed in the 3000m of the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon, which also served as the Diamond League Final. His time of 7:29.43, en route to a seventh place finish, was another national record for the Guatemalan.

Personal life
Grijalva’s family emigrated to the United States from Guatemala in 2000, when he was a year old. They initially moved to New York, before setting in Fairfield, California. When Grijalva was 13 years old, his two older brothers became involved in gang-related activity and were deported. He credits running with helping him to stay focused on his education.

Achievements
All statistics from athlete's profile on World Athletics.