The part-time supermarket worker will compete in his second Grand Slam Track meet in Miami

After a breakout performance in Jamaica, Dylan Beard is preparing for his second appearance at the Grand Slam Track series, which rolls into Miami from May 2–4. Although he only turned professional last year, Beard has already made a strong impression on the track.

At the Kingston meet, Beard competed in the Short Hurdles category and delivered a stunning performance, winning his heat in 13.29 seconds — outrunning names like Freddie Crittenden, Daniel Roberts, and France’s Sasha Zhoya. Zhoya eventually clinched the Slam title by winning the 100m sprint in 10.55, but Beard wasn’t far behind.

He clocked 10.67 to place third, just behind Cordell Tinch’s 10.65. Had Beard finished just two-hundredths of a second faster, he would have tied with Zhoya at the top of the Grand Slam standings.

That narrow miss didn’t diminish Beard’s impact. His strong finish earned him a $50,000 prize and an invitation to return as a Challenger in Miami, proving that his debut performance was no fluke.

Speaking at the Grand Slam Track press conference, Beard opened up about being taken seriously by his competitors. "I don't have a lot of accolades and a lot of these Grand Slam Track guys are known on the circuit yet I just became a pro last year. I got a good win at the right time and that's how I became known but it's just about one win at a time.

"They respect me and when I see them they tell me that they don't want to lose to the Walmart guy. I think that is what's on everybody's mind and I'm trying to be the Walmart guy who beats them."

The “Walmart guy” nickname stems from his job at a local deli counter, which he took up in 2023 to support his journey into pro athletics. Beard holds a personal best of 13.10 seconds in the 110m hurdles and is now considered a serious threat in an open field.

Zhoya himself acknowledged how unpredictable the hurdles can be. "It's the 110m hurdles and we all know we can go sub-13 but it's all going to happen on D-day.

"It's not about the 100m sprint that has no obstacles in the way. You've got 10 barriers to pass before you can be the champion so anybody can the the title on that day."

Gabby Thomas, who dominated the Long Sprints (200m/400m) last time, will now compete in the Short Sprints (100m/200m). The Olympic 200m gold medallist claimed victory in Kingston with a 22.62 in the 200m and followed that up with a personal best of 49.14 in the 400m, coming just behind Salwa Eid Naser.

Though she’ll be skipping the 400m in Miami, Thomas is focused on making an impact across the short sprint disciplines.

"I didn't surprise myself but I definitely proved to myself and the world that I was capable of being in the Long Sprints category, and I intend to do the same thing in the Short Sprints category," she said.

"Feeling what that pressure felt like in Kingston definitely helped me well for this Grand Slam Track in Miami. In terms of the different events, the 200m is my baby but I am a dual athlete and this is my time to showcase that."

She’ll face stiff competition, including Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, who won the Short Sprints in Kingston, as well as Daryll Neita and Brittany Brown, who missed the first Slam while recovering from surgery.

Brown is making her return to the track after undergoing a procedure as she suffers with endometriosis, a condition she’s been open about in efforts to raise awareness.

"I am four months post-operation so it has been very different going into training," she said. "I have a condition called endometriosis which is a disease that one in every woman has.

"My surgeon said that they have never worked with an Olympian before and they were surprise at how quick my body recovers. Track has always felt like home so when I finally got to be on the track I felt back at home again and I'm just super grateful for all the support."

Previously viewed as an underdog, Brown’s bronze medal performance at the Paris Olympics may have finally shifted that narrative.

"Every year people put titles on you," she said. "But it's really about how you see yourself in the world. I've had that underdog title and that is how my career started off. I think that title is off now and I think I am proving to myself the versatility of what I can do. Titles come and go but it's all about relying on what I know."

Grand Slam Track will be available to watch in the UK and Ireland on TNT Sports, while Eurosport will provide the coverage for audiences in Europe and Asia.