Grand Slam Track Miami Day 2: Bednarek, McLaughlin Levrone, and Thomas Headline Saturday's Fireworks
Saturday, May 3, delivered a stacked schedule and electric performances on Day 2 of the Grand Slam Track Miami. Athletes battled for points, personal bests, and six-figure Grand Slam prize money. The lineup included Olympic champions, world medallists, and rising stars across sprints, hurdles, and middle-distance events. With multiple category titles clinched and several PBs shattered, the stage is now set for a blockbuster finals day on Sunday, May 4.
Men’s 100 Metres (Short Sprint Category)
Six men broke the 10-second barrier in a blazing 100 metres final. Kenny Bednarek, a two-time Olympic silver medallist in the 200m, won with a wind-assisted 9.79 (+2.4 m/s), ahead of Oblique Seville (9.84), Ackeem Blake (9.87), and Brandon Hicklin (9.98). Bednarek, who already won the 100m and 200m in Kingston, secured the Grand Slam title and its $100,000 prize.
Bednarek: “Hey, I’m dangerous. All I kept saying is that I need experience. I’m getting experience, and you see what happens.”
Women’s 400 Metres Hurdles (Long Hurdles Category)
Sydney McLaughlin Levrone backed up her Kingston win with another dominant 400m hurdles victory, clocking a world lead of 52.07. Jamaica’s Andrenette Knight followed in 54.08, while Anna Hall nearly matched her PB with 54.43 in her return to the event. McLaughlin Levrone now chases a second $100,000 prize in Sunday’s 400m flat, where she holds a PB of 48.74.
McLaughlin Levrone: “That was really tiring but I feel relieved… Today was actually really fun. Obviously, there’s some stuff to clean up. I’m happy with where my fitness is.”
Women’s 200 Metres (Short Sprint)
Gabby Thomas took the win in a seasonal best of 21.95. Tamari Davis was second in 22.05, while Melissa Jefferson Wooden ran a PB of 22.15. With her Friday win in the 100m (10.75), Jefferson Wooden secured the Grand Slam title in the short sprint category with 18 points, becoming the first back-to-back champion and earning $200,000 across both meets.
Jefferson Wooden: “I got a huge PB out of it and I’m excited for Philadelphia now. I feel like Grand Slam is doing what it set out to do.”
110 Metres Hurdles (Short Hurdles Category)
Trey Cunningham equalled his PB of 13.00 to take the win, edging France’s Sasha Zhoya, who improved to 13.06. Freddie Crittenden (13.09) and Jamal Britt (13.10) rounded out a tightly contested final. Zhoya, winner in Kingston, remains in contention for a second Grand Slam title.
Cunningham: “It’s been a hard two years to get back to where I was. I think I’m finally getting back to my rhythm.”
Men’s 400 Metres (Long Sprint Category)
Jacory Patterson stunned the field with a huge PB of 43.98, becoming the 15th American ever under 44 seconds. Patterson juggles track with a UPS job and trains on just three hours of sleep. Jereem Richards (44.32) and Matthew Hudson Smith (44.32) completed the podium, with Richards claiming the Grand Slam title.
Patterson: “The goal was to come out here and make some money so I can just focus on track and quit that job.”
Men’s 800 Metres (Short Distance Category)
World champion Marco Arop won in 1:43.69, narrowly holding off Kethobongile Haingura, who set a PB of 1:43.75. Peter Bol took third (1:44.13), while Yared Nuguse (1:44.77) and Josh Kerr (1:45.01) also clocked personal bests. Kerr’s Friday 1500m win helped him secure the Grand Slam title in the short distance category with 16 points.
Kerr: “Getting a PB today was huge and shows progress… We’re having fun with it.”
Women’s 100 Metres (Short Hurdles Category)
Ackera Nugent won in 11.09, beating Megan Tapper (11.33), Kendra Harrison (11.35), and Masai Russell (PB 11.40). Nugent clinched the Grand Slam short hurdles title with 18 points, just edging Russell’s 17.
Women’s 1500 Metres (Short Distance Category)
Freweyni Hailu took a tactical win in 4:06.96 with a powerful 800m split of 2:01.05 and a 58.48 final lap. Nikki Hiltz (4:07.08) and Diribe Welteji (4:07.46) followed. Hailu now enters Sunday’s 800m with 12 points and a chance at the short distance title.
