Third grader sets new 5k world record

Most 8-year-olds are blessed with boundless energy, but few are able to channel that energy like New York’s Tam Gavenas.

Tam clocked a new world record for his age at last week’s Kenneth Dolan Memorial Run, finishing the 5-kilometer race in 18 minutes flat.

More impressive than Tam’s time is the fact that the third grader trains just twice a week with the Prospect Park Youth Running Club. He spends the rest of his time on other hobbies like playing chess and musical instruments.

	Armory Track @ArmoryNYC
S/O to 8-year-old Tam Gavenas of Prospect Park Youth RC for recently running world record 18:00 for 5k! pic.twitter.com/cKtDdCEoxe 11:30 AM - 9 Jun 2016

Mary-Lisa Gavenas adopted Tam from Ethiopia just before his third birthday and immediately noticed his natural talent.

“He learned to walk very early,” she told USATF. “If you had seen this kid crawl, it was amazing. I had to jog to chase him down the hall when he was crawling.”

Setting world records is nothing new for Tam. Three years ago, he ran the fastest 800m and 1500m ever recorded for a 5-year-old and he's been collecting accolades ever since.

In 2015, he set new national records in the 800m, 1500m and 4x400m relay. And earlier this year, Tam was named the USATF Athlete of the Year for his age division.