Trans non-binary runner Nikki Hiltz wins sixth consecutive national title
Nikki Hiltz wins the gold medal in the Toyota Women’s 1500m final during the 2025 USATF Outdoor Championships at Hayward Field on August 02, 2025 in Eugene, Oregon. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Nikki Hiltz wins the gold medal in the Toyota Women's 1500m final during the 2025 USATF Outdoor Championships at Hayward Field on August 02, 2025 in Eugene, Oregon. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Non-binary runner Nikki Hiltz has won at the USA Track and Field National Championships.
Hiltz won their sixth straight national title at the 1500m and third outdoors at the USA Track and Field National Championships on 2 August.
The runner, who identifies as trans, non-binary, told NBC Sports, as reported by OutSports, after the win: “I do this thing with 200 meters to go.
“I was staying with Sinclaire until I thought, ‘Let’s empty the tank in the last 100 and here I go.’”
Taking to Instagram to celebrate their win, they shared an image showing them finishing first, which they captioned: “This feeling never gets old! 6x National Champ in the 1500m. I’m very proud of this one. So grateful for my people and very excited for the rest of this season! We’re just getting started fam!”
In 2021, Nikki Hiltz came out as trans in celebration of International Transgender Day of Visibility. They have since seen their career go through multiple coaching changes.
They told reporters after the race: “I didn’t make the 2021 Olympic team and and I was like, ‘OK, my speed’s there, but I really need to work on my strength’.
“I spent the past three years of my life to building my strength. I think I’m finally like where I want to be.”
In 2024, the Team USA star told trans and non-binary people to “keep going” after qualifying for the semi-finals of the 1500m at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
They now have their sights on preparing for competing in the 1500m at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, held from 13 to 21 September.
Hiltz secured their spot by winning the women’s 1500m at the US trials in Oregon. “Tokyo is going to be fast…And I’m excited to see how fast I can run,” they said of the event.
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