Isaiah Johnston is quickly proving himself as one of British Columbia's top young distance runners. Over the past two seasons, he has shown steady growth, moving up in race distance and competition level while consistently winning.
In 2024, Johnston dominated the U16 cross-country scene. He claimed the BC Athletics U16 Boys 3km Championship in 9:18.46, averaging 3:06 per kilometre, finishing more than a minute ahead of Coen Kissmann. On the high school circuit, he captured the Junior Boys 4km BCSS Provincial Championship in 14:18 (3:35/km) and the South Fraser Zone Championship, running 12:57.1 (3:14/km) and winning by over 20 seconds.
Throwback to Last Year
Johnston has not shied away from bigger stages either. During this current season he competed in the 47th annual Nike Portland XC meet, finishing 50th out of 253 athletes in the 5K Danner Championships Division with a time of 15:47.20 (3:09/km), holding his own against some of the strongest high school competition in the U.S.
This past weekend, Johnston stepped up again, racing in the U18 Boys 6km at the 2025 BC Athletics XC Championships. Now a Grade 11 athlete, he took the win in 18:38, averaging 3:06 per kilometre, ahead of senior Riley Simmonds. Maintaining nearly the same pace from his U16 3km race while doubling the distance and competing against older athletes.
With the South Fraser Zone Championships this week and the BC School Sport Provincials around the corner, Johnston is on a clear upward path. Each season he races smarter, runs faster, and stretches his range.