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This past weekend, Kingston, Jamaica, wasn't just hosting another meet; it was the launchpad for a bold new vision in track and field: Grand Slam Track.
Curated by Olympic legend Michael Johnson, the series aims to shake up the sport with a modern, entertainment-first format. Think big prize money, curated athlete rosters, and city-to-city competition — all designed to bring more eyes (and hype) to the sport.
And if the Kingston edition is any indication, we're in for a season of surprises, stacked fields, and rising rivalries.
The Grand Slam Track series made its much-anticipated debut in Kingston, Jamaica, from April 4 to 6, 2025, aiming to revolutionize track and field with a fresh, engaging format. Spearheaded by Olympic legend Michael Johnson, this innovative league seeks to elevate the sport's profile and provide athletes with substantial financial incentives.
A New Era in Track and Field
Grand Slam Track is designed to captivate audiences by focusing on head-to-head competitions and compelling storytelling. Each season comprises four "slams" held between April and June, with events in Kingston, Miami, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles. The league features six event categories for both male and female athletes, each encompassing two disciplines:
In each category, eight athletes compete: four designated as "Grand Slam Racers," who commit to all four events, and four "Grand Slam Challengers," selected based on recent performances to introduce dynamic matchups. This structure ensures that fans witness top-tier athletes competing consistently throughout the season.
Substantial Financial Incentives
A standout feature of Grand Slam Track is its impressive prize pool, totalling $12.6 million for the season. Athletes are rewarded handsomely for their performances:
Notable Performances and Earnings in Kingston
The opening weekend of Grand Slam Track in Kingston did not disappoint, serving up standout performances from some of the sport's biggest names—and dishing out major cash prizes in the process.
The 20-year-old phenom made a powerful statement in the men's short-distance category, taking first place in the 1500m with a time of 3:35.18 and finishing second in the 800m with 1:46.44. With his combined placement, Wanyonyi took home a massive €95,000 (approx. $102,000 USD), the highest individual earnings of the weekend. His 1500m win came against a stacked field, including Josh Kerr, Cole Hocker, and Yared Nuguse.
The Olympic champion put on a show in the women's long hurdles category, storming to victory in the 400m hurdles with a world-leading time of 52.76 seconds. She also competed in the 400m flat, solidifying her group dominance and clinching the category crown. For her efforts, McLaughlin-Levrone walked away with $100,000 in prize money.
He dominated the men's short sprints category by securing victories in both the 100m and 200m races, achieving a perfect score of 24 points. These wins earned him the Slam Champion title and a prize of $100,000. In the 100m, Bednarek narrowly defeated Jamaica's Oblique Seville in a photo finish. He followed up with a commanding performance in the 200m, clocking 20.07 seconds to finish ahead of Britain's Zharnel Hughes and fellow American Fred Kerley.
A 200m specialist by trade, Thomas showed off her range by stepping up in the women's long sprint category, where she competed in both the 200m and 400m. She clocked a personal best of 49.61 seconds in the 400m and took the overall group win—netting her a sweet $100,000 payday. Her shift in distance could shake up the sprinting scene this season.
The 2022 world champion dominated the men's long hurdles category, winning the 400m hurdles in 47.37 seconds and finishing strong in the 400m flat. His performance not only secured him the event belt but also a cool $100,000 in prize money. His 47.37 was a season-best and one of the fastest times in the world so far this year.
Looking Ahead
The Grand Slam Track series is set to continue with its next event in Miami from May 2 to 4, 2025. Organizers aim to build on the successes and lessons from Kingston to enhance the series' appeal and accessibility to a broader audience. With substantial financial incentives and a commitment to high-quality competition, Grand Slam Track is poised to make a lasting impact on the world of athletics.
Either way, the conversation doesn't stop here. Tune in to Ready Set Go this Friday, where Justin Gatlin and Rodney Greene will break it all down to see how this series could reshape the sport as we know it.
