The Grand Slam Observe Sequence roared to a dramatic end on the iconic Franklin Discipline on Sunday, delivering a competition of pace, resilience, and redemption earlier than the biggest crowd in sequence historical past.
In a program compressed from three days to 2, athletes responded with fireplace, producing world-leading marks and private breakthroughs in entrance of a rapturous Philadelphia viewers.
Jefferson-Picket and Bednarek ignite the straightaway with global-leading wins
Within the closing explosive moments of Grand Slam Observe Philadelphia, Melissa Jefferson-Picket and Kenny Bednarek etched their names atop the worldwide rankings—and into the historical past books.
Jefferson-Picket, contemporary off a private greatest within the 200m simply at some point prior, erupted from the blocks and by no means regarded again, clocking a wind-legal 10.73 seconds. The blazing run not solely earned her a commanding victory over Tamari Davis (11.03) but in addition made her the Tenth-fastest girl in historical past over 100 meters.
“I truly knew earlier than the gun the potential that I had for it to be one thing particular,” mentioned Jefferson-Picket, who now leads the Racer of the Yr standings. “You don’t have time to consider the rest. Simply do what you’ve been doing.”
Minutes later, Bednarek, undefeated throughout all six Slam races this yr, shook off a sluggish begin to surge away from a stacked area, stopping the clock at 9.86 seconds—a private greatest and one other world lead.
“Grand Slam, I believe, is form of constructed for me,” mentioned Bednarek. “I really want expertise within the 100 meters and Grand Slam gave me the chance to try this.”
A championship and not using a win: Jasmine Jones’ quiet domination
Jasmine Jones made historical past of a unique sort. With out successful a single race, Jones secured the Girls’s Lengthy Hurdles Slam title—the primary athlete ever to take action. Getting back from harm and making her out of doors season debut, Jones positioned second in each the 400m hurdles and 400m, narrowly edging out occasion winners Anna Cockrell and Lina Nielsen within the factors standings.
“I do know I used to be coming into this a bit of nervous. I wasn’t certain the place I used to be at this season,” mentioned Jones. “Getting on right here and eventually feeling wholesome was an enormous confidence enhance and an enormous win for me.”
Nugent holds off McLaughlin-Levrone in Quick Hurdles showdown
Regardless of the formidable presence of Olympic champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Ackera Nugent confirmed no worry—and no flaws. Along with her second consecutive Slam title within the Girls’s Quick Hurdles, Nugent’s 11.11-second end was sufficient to narrowly defeat McLaughlin-Levrone in her first skilled 100m hurdles look.
“My persona was capable of be proven on the market from Grand Slam,” Nugent shared. “I used to be capable of get some apply in… and it reveals in each Slams.”
McLaughlin-Levrone, who normally instructions the 400m and 400m hurdles, embraced the problem of the unfamiliar dash distance.
“There’s simply a lot across the unknown that may make you nervous,” she mentioned. “Pushing myself out of my consolation zone to do these sorts of issues—that’s a part of the problem.”
Britt’s breakthrough: $100K and a career-changing weekend
The Males’s Quick Hurdles produced its third completely different champion in three meets, with Jamal Britt storming to the highest. After successful the 110m hurdles and ending second within the 100m dash behind Trey Cunningham, Britt clinched the title—and a game-changing $100,000 prize.
“100k is a fairly good contract. It’s like a shoe contract,” mentioned Britt, who stays unsponsored. “I acquired that simply from working within the races and it’s greater than what I made in my whole life.”
Upsets and redemption within the Lengthy Hurdles and distance divisions
Alison dos Santos’ unbeaten run got here to an finish as he settled for third within the 400m, opening the door for Trevor Bassitt to assert the Males’s Lengthy Hurdles title. Bassitt, a 2022 World bronze medalist, was assured in his assertion win.
“I believe I’m among the finest there’s any given day,” mentioned Bassitt. “If I totally have religion and I run my race, I believe I can compete with any of them.”
Within the Males’s Quick Distance group, Marco Arop lastly unlocked the 1500m. Regardless of ending fourth within the race, his private greatest of three:35.38 minutes, mixed together with his earlier 800m win, secured him the Slam title.
“It was a very long time coming,” mentioned Arop. “That 1500 is getting nearer and nearer to the place I needed to be.”
Hudson-Smith bounces again; Paulino unstoppable within the Lengthy Sprints
After a tough outing in Miami, Matthew Hudson-Smith rebounded in Philadelphia, successful the Males’s Lengthy Sprints Race Group with a gritty 400m efficiency and sufficient factors to beat a sluggish 200m.
“The primary purpose was to complete wholesome, and that’s all that mattered,” mentioned Hudson-Smith.
In the meantime, Marileidy Paulino continued her reign, successful each the 200m and 400m in decisive trend and locking up her second Slam Championship.
Facility information, first-time winners, and electrical finishes
Ethiopian middle-distance star Diribe Welteji returned to type with a razor-thin win over Georgia Hunter Bell within the 800m. Her time of 1:58.94 minutes set a brand new Franklin Discipline facility report.
Within the 3000m, debutant Nico Younger delivered fireworks with a blistering closing lap, clocking 8:01.03 minutes to outkick Sam Gilman and safe the Slam title within the Males’s Lengthy Distance group.
“The observe is tremendous quick,” mentioned Younger. “I used to be in a bizarre spot with 100 meters to go, however I stayed forward, and that’s good.”
Two days, one imaginative and prescient: Grand Slam format evolves for followers and athletes
The Philadelphia leg marked a pivotal change: a tighter two-day format formed by athlete and fan suggestions. The outcome? An electrical ambiance, report ticket gross sales, and a crowd that matched the depth on the observe.
“We’ve acquired every thing that we may have hoped for out of this weekend,” mentioned Grand Slam Observe Founder and Commissioner Michael Johnson. “Compacting issues into two days… labored significantly better. We’re simply going to proceed to enhance.”
