Records Fall and Rivalries Heat Up on Night One of Grand Slam Track’s Miramar Meet
The second stop of the Grand Slam Track series kicked off with fireworks in Miramar on Friday night, May 2. From a near-world-record in the 100m hurdles to tight finishes and redemption runs, the first evening delivered elite performances across the board. Athletes were chasing not just wins but points and six-figure prize money in the multi-stop series, which continues through Sunday, May 4.
100 Metres Hurdles (Short Hurdles)
Olympic champion Masai Russell set the tone with a sensational, world-leading 12.17 (+2.0 m/s), the second-fastest time in history. The time broke Kendra Harrison’s U.S. record of 12.20 set in 2016 and was just 0.05 seconds shy of Tobi Amusan’s world record (12.12).
Russell rebounded strongly from a disappointing fifth place in Kingston, where she ran 12.78 into a -1.4 m/s headwind. Since then, she had finished second at the Tom Jones Memorial (12.65) and first at the Drake Relays (12.74), and her Miramar performance marked a major breakthrough.
Tia Jones also made history, finishing second in 12.19—a huge personal best and now third on the all-time list. Ackera Nugent took third in 12.34, ahead of Kendra Harrison (12.40), Megan Tapper (12.50), and Alaysha Johnson (12.56).
Masai Russell: “I wasn’t expecting that. When it’s time to run fast, I love to run fast. It’s not revenge—I just wanted to do better than I did in Kingston.”
Men’s 1500 Metres (Short Distance)
World champion and Olympic silver medallist Josh Kerr bounced back in style, winning the 1500m in a seasonal best of 3:34.51. After underwhelming finishes in Kingston (5th in 1500m, 8th in 800m), Kerr stormed the final lap in 53.36 seconds, sealing the win and earning 12 points in the Grand Slam standings.
Yared Nuguse finished a close second in 3:34.65, with Olympic champ Cole Hocker third in 3:34.79.
Josh Kerr: “A lot of emotion came out at the end. I didn’t have the best winter, but I know I’m back now.”
Women’s 100 Metres (Short Sprint)
Olympic bronze medallist Melissa Jefferson kept her momentum rolling with a wind-assisted 10.75 (+2.4 m/s) victory. Another strong showing in the 200m could lock in a second Grand Slam title for her.
Tamari Davis was second in 10.79, followed by Favour Ofili (10.94), Gabby Thomas (10.97), and Jacious Sears (10.98). Thomas, who previously dominated the long sprints in Kingston, competed in the short sprint category in Miramar.
Melissa Jefferson:
“I want to be one of the greatest. Not just someone who was on the circuit—I want to win medals, perform, and be remembered.”
Men’s 200 Metres (Long Sprint)
Jereem Richards of Trinidad and Tobago edged Alexander Ogando in a photo finish to win the men’s 200m in a world-leading 19.86. Ogando set a national record with the same time but had to settle for second. Zambia’s Muzala Samukonga ran a personal best 20.23 for third, ahead of Olympic champion Steven Gardiner (20.37). Kingston winner Matthew Hudson-Smith faded to seventh in 20.64.
Men’s 400 Metres Hurdles (Long Hurdles)
Brazil’s Alison Dos Santos, the 2022 world champion, dominated the 400m hurdles in 47.97, securing the $100,000 Grand Slam bonus after adding this win to his Kingston sweep. Chris Robinson (48.92) and Malik James King (49.43) rounded out the podium.
Women’s 400 Metres (Long Sprint)
Olympic and world champion Marileidy Paulino avenged her Kingston loss to Salwa Eid Naser, winning in 49.21 over Naser’s 49.33. Alexis Holmes took third in 50.36. Rising NCAA stars Isabella Whittaker (50.38) and Nickisha Pryce (50.71) finished fourth and fifth, respectively.
Women’s 5000 Metres (Long Distance)
Kenya’s Agnes Ngetich continued her hot streak with a 14:25.80 win, edging Ethiopia’s Medina Eisa (14:25.92) in a thrilling finish. Ngetich had just set a 10k women’s-only world record the week before. Hirut Meshesha finished a distant third (14:40.46).
Men’s 3000 Metres (Long Distance)
Ireland’s Andrew Coscoran won a tactical 3000m in 8:17.56, barely holding off U.S. star Grant Fisher (8:17.60). George Mills (8:17.77) and Cooper Teare (8:18.08) completed the top four in a tightly bunched field.
