Ellery Lincoln and the rise of a Nike NIL Star
Ellery Lincoln is quickly becoming one of the most exciting young names in American distance running, and her rise feels even more special because it is happening with the kind of calm confidence that makes people believe there is so much more ahead.
The Lincoln High School standout from Portland, Oregon, has been building a name for herself across cross country and track, showing the kind of range that separates special athletes from the rest of the field. She can handle the strength demands of cross country, move with rhythm over 3,000m, and still find another gear when the race comes down to speed. That mix is rare, and it is a big reason why Nike moved early to sign her to an NIL deal.
Her Nike NIL partnership feels like a natural fit because Ellery is growing right in the heart of Oregon’s running culture, surrounded by the history, energy, and expectations that come with the sport in that part of the country. For Nike, signing her was about investing in a young athlete whose story is already beginning to connect with the future of American distance running.
Recently, Lincoln has backed up that attention with performances that speak loudly. Her 4:30.00 mile at the Nike/Jesuit Twilight Relays was one of those races that instantly changed how people talked about her, especially as she broke Oregon’s long-standing high school record and moved into elite national territory. She has also shown her strength over 3,000m, running 9:06.61 to break the Oregon state record, while her cross-country dominance has added another layer to her growing reputation.
What makes Ellery special is the way she keeps stacking big performances without looking overwhelmed by the moment. She races with maturity, finishes with power, and carries herself like someone who understands that talent means even more when it is matched with patience and purpose.
Ellery Lincoln is young, gifted, marketable, and still writing the early chapters of her journey.
This video is from the NIKE Indoors (March 13-15, 2026), which featured Ellery Lincoln, who took second in the Nike Indoor Mile!
Ellery Lincoln just ran a 4:30.00 mile! What a great start to her outdoor season!
Our interview is from the Nike Indoor Nationals, where Ellery took second in the indoor mile, on March 15, 2026.🎥 @LarryEder @ellerylincoln , @nsaf_track , @armorynyc , @nikerunning pic.twitter.com/bKcRQHx5WJ
— RunBlogRun (@RunBlogRun) April 27, 2026
