After graduating from Georgetown University,[2] Bumbalough went to train in Oregon with Coach Schumacher and fellow athletes Tim Nelson, Matt Tegenkamp, Evan Jager and Chris Solinsky.

[3] In 2011, Bumbalough finished fourth in the 5000m at the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships behind Bernard Lagat, Galen Rupp and teammate Chris Solinsky.

[6] At the 2014 USATF Indoor Championships, a huge controversy ensued when Bumbalough was disqualified due to a protest by Alberto Salazar, who claimed that Galen Rupp was fouled in the middle of the race.

Bumbalough made a late bid for the win with two laps to go, and hung on for a runner-up finish to perennial champion Bernard Lagat.

The Tennessee-native posted a 13:32.01 in his bid for his first track national title, marking one of the quicker efforts in recent USATF 5000m races.