Brandon McBride

Biography

Brandon McBride broke the 10-year-old Canadian record in the 800m in July 2018 when he ran 1:43.20 at a meet in Monaco. Less than a month later, he won gold at the NACAC Championships in Toronto. McBride had made his Olympic debut at Rio 2016 where he was a semifinalist in the 800m. The next year, he competed at his first World Athletics Championships, where he reached the 800m finals and finished eighth. McBride could unfortunately not improve on that result at the 2019 World Athletics Championships as he missed an opportunity to make a move in the semifinals.

McBride was a triple gold medallist at the 2013 Canada Games, winning the 400m, 800m, and 4x400m relay.  He won his first Canadian title in 2014 in the 800m. McBride came one spot shy of qualifying for the 800m final at the 2015 Pan Am Games in Toronto. He won his second and third Canadian 800m titles in 2016 and 2017. After finishing second to Marco Arop in 2018, he reclaimed the national title in 2019, the fourth of his career.

As a sophomore at Mississippi State University, McBride won the 2014 NCAA indoor and outdoor titles in the 800m. Ranked number one nationally, he ended the season undefeated. In 2015 McBride finished fourth indoors and sixth outdoors at the NCAA Championships. He was also a member of the Mississippi State 4x400m relay team that finished third. He finished his collegiate career coming in second place at the NCAA outdoor Championships. He was a nine-time All-American, and was named to the SEC Honor Roll all four years.

A Little More About Brandon

Getting into the Sport: Started competing at 8 years old, but did not start full time training until 2013… As a kid, would run 1-2 miles home to meet curfew; he ran so he could stay out as late as possible with his friends… Has dreamed of competing for Team Canada since grade 11 after he realized he could make the world youth team… Outside Interests: Enjoys watching movies, reading, hiking, learning new things… Business administration major at Mississippi State University… Would to pursue a career in corporate law… Odds and Ends: Role model is Olympic champion David Rudisha because of how humble he comes across… Wears good luck bracelets each race… Favourite motto: “The only time success comes before work is in the dictionary”…

Olympic Highlights

Games Sport Event Finish
Rio 2016 Athletics800m - Men14
Tokyo 2020Athletics800m - Men30

Notable International Results

Olympic Games: 2020 - 30th (800m); 2016 - 14th (800m)

Pan American Games: 2015 - 9th (800m), 9th (4x400m relay)

IAAF World Championships: 2019 - 9th (800m); 2017 - 8th (800m)

IAAF World Championships (junior): 2012 - 6th (800m)

IAAF World Championships (youth): 2011 - 4th in SF (800m)

Commonwealth Games: 2014 - DQ (800m), DQ (4x400m relay)