On May 9, 2025, Sade Bumpus competed in the 1600 meter race with a time of 5:15.99, placing her 3rd in EBAL Track and Field Championships. To appreciate this amazing accomplishment, Sade was asked some questions about the competition and her experiences in Track and Field.
Sade has always had a passion for running, and her experience goes back to when she was in middle school. Even then, she was recognized as an amazing runner by the community.
“I was confident to run in high school,” said Bumpus. However, there was more than just confidence that made her want to run.
When she was asked what motivated her to continue, she replied, “My friends on the team and my love for running in general.”
Leading up to the championship race, Bumpus initially said, “I felt nervous, but I was also excited to run against really good runners.”
However, despite her initial nervousness, she had a strategy for the run that would guarantee her success.
“When I started off the race, I started ahead so that I wouldn’t get trapped behind anybody,” said Bumpus.
Sade knew that, if she started in front and maintained her pace, she was destined to place well. Her past successes in other competitions combined with her long-term running experience make her a challenging competitor.
When asked about how she felt continuing through the second lap, she stated, “I feel like I had a good pace by that point and I was in rhythm.”
At that point, her rhythm was what pushed her forward, and she was ahead of almost all of the other competitors. However, even though she felt good in the beginning, she began to face some challenges as the race neared its end.
“I got really tired on the third lap, and I started running slower, but I made it up on the fourth lap,” said Bumpus.
Even though Sade might have faced some challenges, she knew she could overcome them and be successful by the end. Even though she was exhausted, her love for running motivated her to keep trying.
Finally, when asked how she finished off, she said, “In the last 100 meters, I got passed by some people.”
While she may have lost her place, she did not come close to falling behind. She ended extraordinarily and placed third.
Reflecting on the race in its entirety, Bumpus noted, “I was thinking about going out fast and maintaining my speed until the third and fourth lap so that I could pick up the speed and get a good place.”
This mindset worked extremely well, and Bumpus ended up at the front of the race. After the run, she said that placing third felt good and she loved how competitive the race was.
“I would have pushed harder in the last 100 meters,” Bumpus said.
Even though she was wildly successful during the run and made many achievements, Bumpus says her goal next track season is to run a 4:50 mile. Sade had an amazing track season and is excited for what’s to come next year.
