Vermont's Elle St. Pierre Stuns with World-Leading 3000m Win Just 8 Months Postpartum
The winning time ranked as the fifth-fastest performance ever by an American woman indoors.
On a bitter cold Saturday in Boston, while a massive snowstorm was creeping up on New England, Elle St. Pierre stepped onto the track at The TRACK at New Balance and delivered an emphatic answer to questions about her competitive fitness. The Montgomery native and dairy farmer won the women’s 3000 meters with a time of 8:26.54, marking the fastest performance in the world so far in 2026.
The victory came just eight months after St. Pierre gave birth to her second son, Harvey, in May 2025. It was her first track race since competing in the Paris Olympics last August, when she placed eighth in the 1500 meters.
A Night of Records and Drama
St. Pierre’s race took place during one of the most historic nights in American indoor track and field history. Earlier in the evening, Josh Hoey shattered the indoor 800-meter world record with a time of 1:42.50, breaking a mark that had stood since 1997. Hobbs Kessler followed with another world record in the 2000 meters.
The women’s 3000 meters featured a rematch between St. Pierre and Australian runners Jessica Hull and Linden Hall. Hull, the Olympic silver medalist, had defeated St. Pierre at this same meet in 2024.
The Race Unfolds
The race started fast, with the field passing the 2000-meter mark at 5:39, with Hull leading and St. Pierre close behind. With three laps remaining, St. Pierre moved assertively to the front, trying to control the pace heading into the final sprint.
On the bell lap, Linden Hall surged past St. Pierre to take the lead. St. Pierre later admitted she “didn’t think I would win, to be honest” at that moment. But she tucked in behind Hall on the final banked curve and used a slingshot move to rally past in the final 30 meters.
Final results showed St. Pierre winning in 8:26.54, with Hall second in 8:27.03 and Hull third in 8:36.03. The winning time ranked as the fifth-fastest performance ever by an American woman indoors.
From Pleasant Valley Farms to the Podium
St. Pierre lives and works on Pleasant Valley Farms in Berkshire/Richford with her husband Jamie. The operation manages over 3,000 cows and 10,000 acres, making it one of Vermont’s largest dairy farms. The farm has roots dating back to 1789.
St. Pierre actively participates in farm operations between training sessions. She has said the farm instilled her work ethic: “Cows need to be fed, they need to be milked... That attitude really helps me in my career now, because you can come up with a million excuses as to why things couldn’t get done or just get them done”.
A Pattern of Postpartum Success
This marks St. Pierre’s second comeback from childbirth. After giving birth to her first son, Ivan, in March 2023, she returned to break the American mile record in February 2024 and win the World Indoor 3000-meter championship the following month.
St. Pierre received a maternity grant from the USATF Foundation to support her training during this latest comeback. She has said that becoming a mother changed her perspective on racing: “I feel a lot happier just being a mom... I have Ivan so everything’s fine... just to be able to change my perspective I think has definitely helped me on the track”.
Recognition from Vermont’s Leaders
St. Pierre’s achievements have drawn attention from Vermont’s political leadership. Senator Bernie Sanders has highlighted her story as an example of rural Vermont resilience, writing: “She grew up in a small rural community, milked cows as a kid... That ain’t easy.”
The Vermont General Assembly has formally recognized her “dual dedication to her sport and to the cherished family farm life.”
What Happens Next
With the fastest 3000-meter time in the world this season, St. Pierre has established herself as a potential medal contender for the upcoming World Indoor Championships. She is the defending champion from the 2024 World Indoors in Glasgow.
At 30 years old, with two young children and a farm to run, St. Pierre continues to compete at the highest level of international track and field. Her performance on January 24 suggests her career peak may still lie ahead rather than behind her.