Kingston, Jamaica – April 4-6, 2025
The Vision Behind Grand Slam Track
Created by four-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Johnson, Grand Slam Track aims to transform how track and field is presented, consumed, and remembered. With a clear goal to emulate the elite status of sports leagues like Formula 1 and UFC, Grand Slam Track removes the traditional, and often cluttered, format of Diamond League-style meets. Instead, it offers a series of slams—head-to-head races, no pacers, no field events, and massive prize pools.
The series features 96 athletes divided into 12 groups (men and women each for short sprints, long sprints, short hurdles, long hurdles, middle distance, and long distance). Each athlete competes in two events within their group across a slam weekend, scoring points toward a $100,000 group championship prize. All races are structured for impact and clarity.
The result? Clean storytelling, tighter competition, and the biggest names in the sport clashing race after race.
Day 1 Highlights: Opening Shockwaves
The first day of action wasted no time delivering statement performances. Kenny Bednarek stunned in the 100 meters with a 10.07-second finish, outleaning Jamaica’s Oblique Seville in a dramatic home-soil battle. Zharnel Hughes and Fred Kerley weren’t far behind, laying the groundwork for an epic short sprint showdown.
In the women’s 100 meters, Tamari Davis of the U.S. lit up the track with a 10.98, edging out TeeTee Terry and Dina Asher-Smith. Her start was electric, her finish clinical. It was a race that made clear: youth was ready to challenge legacy.
Over in the 400m hurdles, Brazil’s Alison dos Santos delivered the performance of the day. His 47.61 wasn’t just a win, it was the fastest time of the year—executed with his signature smooth aggression.
Day 2: The Middle Distance Battleground
Saturday saw the middle-distance athletes take center stage. The men’s 1500m featured a deep field, but Emmanuel Wanyonyi of Kenya emerged victorious with a blistering 3:35.18, barely holding off a charging Yared Nuguse and Cole Hocker.
In the women’s 800m, Nikki Hiltz showed poise and power, running a personal best of 1:58.23. Diribe Welteji and Jessica Hull pushed hard, but Hiltz’s pacing and late surge proved decisive.
Meanwhile, Matthew Hudson-Smith made his intentions clear in the men’s 200m. Already a favorite in the long sprint group, he clocked a powerful 20.77 to win comfortably. With his 400m result from Day 1 factored in, the Brit had all but locked up the long sprint title.
Day 3: The Showdown
The final day brought fireworks. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone closed out her slam with a crushing 52.76 in the women’s 400m hurdles—business as usual for the Olympic champ. Her time, while not a personal best, was world-leading and extended her dominant streak in the event.
On the men’s side, the 200m rematch saw Bednarek face off against Hudson-Smith. Though Bednarek had won the 100m earlier, Hudson-Smith’s long sprint range proved too much. He secured the win, the group title, and the $100,000 bonus.
In the 5000m, American Grant Fisher led a clean sweep for the U.S., winning in 14:39.14. While not a world-leading time, the tactics and pacing reflected the chess-like strategy required in the Grand Slam format.
Gabby Thomas, another standout, took the women’s 200m with a slick 22.62 and combined with her 400m result to win the long sprint title.
Final Results: Top 5 in Each Race
Men’s 100m
- Kenny Bednarek (USA) – 10.07
- Oblique Seville (JAM) – 10.08
- Zharnel Hughes (GBR) – 10.12
- Ackeem Blake (JAM) – 10.16
- Fred Kerley (USA) – 10.18
Men’s 200m
- Matthew Hudson-Smith (GBR) – 20.77
- Jereem Richards (TTO) – 20.81
- Deandre Watkin (JAM) – 20.91
- Vernon Norwood (USA) – 20.92
- Christopher Bailey (USA) – 20.93
Men’s 400m
- Christopher Bailey (USA) – 44.34
- Matthew Hudson-Smith (GBR) – 44.65
- Vernon Norwood (USA) – 44.70
- Muzala Samukonga (ZAM) – 45.00
- Deandre Watkin (JAM) – 45.20
Men’s 400m Hurdles
- Alison dos Santos (BRA) – 47.61
- Roshawn Clarke (JAM) – 48.20
- Caleb Dean (USA) – 48.59
- Malik James-King (JAM) – 48.69
- CJ Allen (USA) – 48.80
Men’s 1500m
- Emmanuel Wanyonyi (KEN) – 3:35.18
- Yared Nuguse (USA) – 3:35.36
- Cole Hocker (USA) – 3:35.52
- Josh Kerr (GBR) – 3:35.70
- Neil Gourley (GBR) – 3:35.90
Men’s 5000m
- Grant Fisher (USA) – 14:39.14
- Cooper Teare (USA) – 14:39.31
- Dylan Jacobs (USA) – 14:39.56
- Thierry Ndikumwenayo (ESP) – 14:41.23
- Telahun Haile Bekele (ETH) – 14:42.20
Women’s 100m
- Tamari Davis (USA) – 10.98
- TeeTee Terry (USA) – 11.03
- Dina Asher-Smith (GBR) – 11.08
- Mujinga Kambundji (SUI) – 11.14
- Julien Alfred (LCA) – 11.19
Women’s 200m
- Gabby Thomas (USA) – 22.62
- Sha’Carri Richardson (USA) – 22.67
- Shericka Jackson (JAM) – 22.72
- Dina Asher-Smith (GBR) – 22.85
- Julien Alfred (LCA) – 22.91
Women’s 400m Hurdles
- Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (USA) – 52.76
- Femke Bol (NED) – 53.12
- Rushell Clayton (JAM) – 53.80
- Anna Ryzhykova (UKR) – 54.22
- Janieve Russell (JAM) – 54.39
Women’s 800m
- Nikki Hiltz (USA) – 1:58.23
- Diribe Welteji (ETH) – 1:58.29
- Jessica Hull (AUS) – 1:58.58
- Natoya Goule-Toppin (JAM) – 1:59.78
- Mary Moraa (KEN) – 2:00.97
Women’s 1500m
- Diribe Welteji (ETH) – 4:04.51
- Nikki Hiltz (USA) – 4:05.03
- Laura Muir (GBR) – 4:05.27
- Jessica Hull (AUS) – 4:05.60
- Cory McGee (USA) – 4:06.10
Women’s 3000m
- Ejgayehu Taye (ETH) – 8:28.42
- Weini Kelati (USA) – 8:29.17
- Alicia Monson (USA) – 8:30.09
- Karissa Schweizer (USA) – 8:32.40
- Jess Hull (AUS) – 8:33.11
Final Thoughts
Grand Slam Track’s debut delivered drama, speed, and legitimacy. While attendance was lower than expected, the broadcast product was crisp, the competition was elite, and the storytelling format created stakes that are often missing in modern athletics.
More than a new meet, this was a declaration of change. And based on what we saw in Kingston, that change is very welcome.
Next up: Paris. If Kingston was the proof of concept, Paris is where the momentum builds.
