Ben Blankenship is the son of Richard and Patricia Blankenship. Blankenship is a two-time NCAA All-American at the University of Minnesota. In 2013, he won the Minnesota Mile and set the course record of 3:52.7, which is also the fastest mile ever ran in his home state. He anchored the U.S. men’s distance medley relay to a world record 9:15.50 at the 2015 World Relays in the Bahamas. Blankenship began his collegiate career at Mississippi State University before transferring to Minnesota. Now his greatest inspiration is his University of Minnesota coach, Steve Plasencia. Currently, Blankenship trains in Eugene, Oregon.