Meet Rudolph Ingram, the American sprinting sensation nicknamed “Blaze” who became an internet phenomenon after running 100 metres in 13.48 seconds at age 7

Rudolph Ingram Jr. was only seven years old when his speed on the track began attracting widespread attention.

In February 2019, the Tampa, Florida, youngster ran the 100 metres in 13.48 seconds. The Washington Post reported that the performance would be a U.S. record for his age group at the time. Videos of the young sprinter were circulating online, and he was being called the “next Usain Bolt.”

Known as “Blaze the Great,” Ingram had already built a following through his performances in track and field and football. The Washington Post reported that his Instagram following had passed 300,000 by February 2019. His Instagram account has around 780,000 followers as of September 2026.

Who is Rudolph “Blaze” Ingram?

Ingram told The Washington Post that he began training when he was four years old. By age seven, he had attracted attention for his performances in both track and field and football.

He was known as “Blaze the Great.” Yahoo Sports referred to him as Rudolph “Blaze” Ingram and reported that a video of his speed had gone viral.

How fast did Rudolph Ingram run the 100 metres?

Ingram ran the 100 metres in 13.48 seconds at the age of seven.

The Washington Post reported that the time would be a U.S. record for his age group. Yahoo Sports also reported the 13.48-second run and noted that he won the 60-metre sprint in 8.69 seconds at the same event.

His February 2019 Instagram post also described the 13.48-second 100-metre performance as “record breaking,” according to The Washington Post.

7-year-old Rudolph “Blaze” Ingram, who has 295,000 Instagram followers after stars linked to his football videos, ran the 60-meter dash in 8.69 seconds pic.twitter.com/nKmI8Mr3qm

— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) February 12, 2019

Why did Blaze Ingram become an internet sensation?

Ingram’s age and sprinting performances attracted attention well beyond youth track.

The Washington Post reported that viral videos of the young athlete were circulating online and that his Instagram following had topped 300,000. His football skills also attracted attention from figures including LeBron James and members of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Yahoo Sports reported that another video of Ingram’s speed had gone viral and that he was being dubbed the “next Usain Bolt.”

The Washington Post also reported that his football goal was to reach the NFL.

Rudolph Ingram’s early success in track and football

Track was not the only sport in which Ingram attracted attention.

The Washington Post reported that he had won the 100 metres and finished second in the 200 metres in his age group at the previous summer’s AAU championships. It also reported that he had football skills and already had a highlight reel.

Ingram had a combined youth track success with football and a large social-media following.