Everything you need to know about the Grand Slam Track meeting in Florida

The Grand Slam Track spotlight now shifts to Miramar, Florida, where the Ansin Sports Complex will host the second leg of the prestigious event from May 2–4. It follows a month after the inaugural meet was hosted in Kingston, Jamaica where athletes competed for top prize money.

This innovative league format divides athletes into two groups: "Racers" who are contracted to compete across all four events in the series—Kingston, Miami, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles—and "Challengers," who rotate in and out of each meet, receiving appearance fees and competing for top prize money.

To recap, these athletes are assigned to compete in one of the following categories: short sprints (100m/200m), short hurdles (100m hurdles or 110m hurdles/100m), long sprints (200m/400m), long hurdles (400m hurdles/400m), middle distance (800m/1500m), or long distance (3000m/5000m).

The winner of each Slam group will take home $100,000 in prize money and the eighth placed competitor will earn $10,000.

The first meet in Kingston crowned 12 athletes as champions of their respective categories, which included Matthew Hudson-Smith, Gabby Thomas, Kenny Bednarek, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, Emmanuel Wanyonyi, Ejgayehu Taye, Grant Fisher, Diribe Welteji, Danielle Williams, Sasha Zhoya, Alison Dos Santos, and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. Many of these top performers are expected to return for the Miami leg of the competition.

Here’s a rundown of the athletes competing in Miami and the details of when and where you can watch the event.

Men's Short Sprints (100m/200m)

In the short sprints category, all eyes will be on the Kingston champion Kenny Bednarek. He had a comfortable win over the 100m field (10.07) in Jamaica, before unleashing a blinding curve in the 200m for another convincing victory in 20.07 - securing the $100,000 prize.

Joining him once again is Zharnel Hughes, British record-holder in the 100m and 200m. As a Grand Slam Racer, Hughes finished second overall in Kingston and will be set to challenge for the top spot in Miami.

Rounding out the other Racers are Oblique Seville and Fred Kerley, who placed third and fourth respectively in Kingston.

This time, they will go up against Canada's Andre De Grasse. The seven-time Olympic medallist is set to make his 100m season debut, now training under coach Mike Holloway in Florida. This will mark his first 100m since missing out on the Olympic Games final at Paris 2024.

Another athlete to watch is Jamaican sprinter Ackeem Blake. Having previously defeated Fred Kerley at the Brussels Diamond League, Blake holds a personal best of 9.89 in the 100m.

Racers: Kenny Bednarek, Fred Kerley, Oblique Seville, Zharnel Hughes

Challengers: Andre De Grasse, Ackeem Blake, Jerome Blake, Benjamin Richardson

Women's Short Sprints (100m/200m)

After a commanding win in the long sprints at the Grand Slam opener in Jamaica, Olympic champion Gabby Thomas is switching things up for Miami. Instead of the 400m, Thomas will test her speed in the shorter sprints this weekend, in both the 100m and 200m.

While the 200m is her specialty—where she claimed Olympic gold—the 100m will present more of a challenge. Her best in that event stands at 11.00, set back in 2022, and she'll need to dig deep against a tough field.

One of her biggest rivals will be Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, a standout sprinter who swept both the 100m and 200m titles in Kingston.

Great Britain's Daryll Neita, another Racer, will be looking to bounce back after finishing fifth overall in Jamaica. Neita recently made a major coaching switch, moving to Florida to train under Lance Brauman after previously working with Marco Airale.

Meanwhile, Brittany Brown—an Olympic bronze medallist in the 200m—missed the first leg in Kingston but is set to make her Grand Slam debut in Miami.

Racers: Gabby Thomas, Brittany Brown, Daryll Neita, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden

Challengers: Tamari Davis, Jacious Sears, Favour Ofili, Kayla White

Men's Long Sprints (200m/400m)

All eyes will be on Matthew Hudson-Smith in the men’s long sprints. The Brit didn't make it easy for himself in Kingston as he finished second (44.65) in the 400m to Chris Bailey who set a world lead of 44.34. But Hudson-Smith bounced back to take a dominant win in the 200m (20.77) - the event in which he won the British title in 2024.

Close behind him in Jamaica was Trinidad and Tobago’s Jereem Richards. Also a Racer on the Grand Slam circuit, Richards placed third in Kingston and will be eager to climb higher on the podium in Miami.

Adding more intrigue to the mix is Zambia’s Muzala Samukonga, who famously outpaced Hudson-Smith to win the 400m title at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Meanwhile, Tokyo 400m gold medallist Steven Gardiner of the Bahamas will step into the line-up as a replacement for Quincy Hall, bringing fresh energy to an already competitive field.

Racers: Muzala Samukonga, Jereem Richards, Matthew Hudson-Smith, Steven Gardiner

Challengers: Bryce Deadmon, Alexander Ogando, Jacory Patterson, Ryan Zeze

Women's Long Sprints (200m/400m)

With Gabby Thomas stepping away from the long sprints in Miami, the women’s crown is suddenly anyone’s to claim — and Olympic champion Marileidy Paulino looks poised to make her move. The Dominican sprinter showed great form in Kingston, running a sharp 22.93 in the 200m, finishing surprisingly close to Thomas, and later clocking 49.35 in the 400m to place second behind Salwa Eid Naser.

Naser, the 2019 world champion, wasn’t far off Paulino in the shorter event either — posting a 22.99 in the 200m. With both athletes evenly matched across two distances, their head-to-head rematch in Miami is expected to be one of the highlights of the weekend.

Adding a new layer of excitement is Britain’s Amber Anning, who joins the Miami field as a Challenger. Anning arrives off a career high — winning the 400m title at the World Indoor Championships — and will be making her Grand Slam debut. Her recent victory over American Racer Alexis Holmes indoors sets the stage for a renewed rivalry, with both athletes scheduled to contest both the 200m and 400m in Miami.

Racers: Nickisha Pryce, Alexis Holmes, Marileidy Paulino, Salwa Eid Naser

Challengers: Amber Anning, Isabella Whittaker, Kendall Ellis, Stacey Ann Williams

Men’s Short Hurdles (110m hurdles/100m)

The short hurdles event will see Kingston winner Sasha Zhoya leading the charge who holds both the world under-18 and under-20 records in the 110m hurdles with an incredible 12.72. The Frenchman ran 10.55 in the 100m in Jamaica and 13.34 over the hurdles.

Another contenter is USA's Daniel Roberts, an Olympic silver medallist and world bronze medallist in the 110m hurdles, who has a personal best of 12.96 in the hurdles and 10.45 in the 100m.

Also in the Racer category is Roberts’ USA team-mate, Freddie Crittenden, who finished sixth at the Paris Olympics.

In Kingston, they will face strong challenges from Dylan Beard, the back-to-back Millrose Games 60m hurdles champion who finished an impressive second place on the Kingston leader board.

Racers: Freddie Crittenden, Sasha Zhoya, Daniel Roberts

Challengers: Trey Cunningham, Wilhelm Belocian, Jamal Britt, Dylan Beard, Michael Obasuyi

Women’s Short Hurdles (100m hurdles/100m)

One of the biggest shocks in the Kingston leg of the Grand Slam Track series came in the women’s short hurdles, where Jamaica’s Danielle Williams stunned a loaded field to take the win. With Olympic medallists Masai Russell and Jasmine Camacho-Quinn in the line-up as Racers, few predicted the Challenger would steal the spotlight — but Williams did just that.

However, the hurdles scene in Miami will look different. Williams, not contracted for the full series, won't return, and Camacho-Quinn has withdrawn from the competition. That sets the stage for a tight showdown between the two remaining Olympic podium finishers — Russell and Cyrena Samba-Mayela. In Paris, they clocked 12.33 and 12.34 respectively, with Russell claiming gold and becoming the fourth American woman this century to win the Olympic 100m hurdles title.

Jamaica's Ackera Nugent will be another athlete to watch after finishing third overall in Kingston. She recently secured her first senior global medal at the World Indoor Championships in March, finishing third in the 60m hurdles in 7.74.

Racers: Ackera Nugent, Masai Russell, Cyréna Samba-Mayela

Challengers: Keni Harrison, Tia Jones, Maribel Vanessa Caicedo, Alaysha Johnson, Megan Tapper

Men’s Long Hurdles (400m hurdles/400m)

The third fastest athlete in the history of the 400m hurdles event (46.29), Alison dos Santos, will return to Grand Slam Track after his Kingston win across the hurdles and flat. The Brazilian picked up a second consecutive bronze medal in the 400m hurdles at the Paris Olympics, finishing behind Rai Benjamin and Karsten Warholm.

Joining him as a Racer includes America's Caleb Dean and Jamaica's Roshawn Clarke who will be challenged by the likes of Malik James-King – the Jamaican national champion over 400m hurdles.

Racers: Alison Dos Santos, Caleb Dean, Roshawn Clarke

Challengers: Malik James-King, Trevor Bassitt, Chris Robinson, Ludvy Vaillant, Khallifah Rosser

Women’s Long Hurdles (400m hurdles/400m)

In the women’s long hurdles, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone remains the one to watch. The two-time Olympic champion and 400m hurdles world record-holder (50.37) showed her dominance in Kingston, sweeping both the 400m flat and hurdles events with ease. Her winning time of 52.76 in the hurdles currently stands as the fastest in the world this season.

She’ll be joined in the Racer ranks by Shamier Little, stepping in for Jamaica’s Rushell Clayton, who finished sixth at the opening meet. Little brings serious experience to the line-up, having won World Championship silver medals in 2015 and 2023. She’ll be making both her Grand Slam Track and 2025 season debut in Miami, with a personal best of 52.39 over 400m hurdles.

Meanwhile, American multi-event star Anna Hall adds an intriguing wildcard to the mix. Signed on as a Challenger, Hall will contest both the 400m and 400m hurdles—no small task, but a manageable double for a world-class heptathlete. This will be her first outing in either event since June 2023, with personal bests of 50.82 in the 400m and 54.42 in the hurdles.

Racers: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Shamier Little

Challengers: Cassandra Tate, Anna Hall, Sarah Carli, Naomi Van den Broeck, Shiann Salmon, Andrenette Knight

Men’s Short Distance (800m/1500m)

The men’s short distance category was among the most fiercely contested in Kingston, particularly in the 1500m — where, in a surprise twist, the Olympic medallists didn’t top the podium. Despite the presence of Paris 2024 champions Cole Hocker (gold), Josh Kerr (silver) and Yared Nuguse (bronze), it was Olympic 800m gold medallist Emmanuel Wanyonyi who stole the show.

Wanyonyi stepped up in distance and delivered a personal best of 3:35.18 to win the 1500m, pulling off one of the meet’s standout performances.

While he couldn’t double up in his main event — the 800m — after being edged out by Paris silver medallist Marco Arop, Wanyonyi’s consistency across both distances still earned him the overall Grand Slam title in Kingston.

However, Wanyonyi won't return for the Miami leg, leaving the race wide open. The full trio of 1500m Olympic medallists — Hocker, Kerr, and Nuguse, as well as Arop — are all slated to compete again, each looking to bounce back.

They’ll also be joined by a new Challenger: Timothy Cheruiyot of Kenya. The 2020 Olympic silver medallist and 2019 world champion brings championship experience and serious speed to the field.

Racers: Cole Hocker, Josh Kerr, Yared Nuguse, Marco Arop

Challengers: Timothy Cheruiyot, Kethobogile Haingura, Tshepo Tshite, Peter Bol

Women’s Short Distance (800m/1500m)

The women’s short-distance category in Miami includes a deep line-up of world-class talent. Diribe Welteji, who took the win in Kingston, returns in strong form. The Ethiopian star won 1500m silver at the World Indoor Championships this year where she ran 3:59.30.

Challenging her again will be Nikki Hiltz, the American who pushed Welteji hard in Kingston and finished a close second. Hiltz has been in sharp form this season and will be looking to turn the tables this time.

Australia’s Jess Hull also enters the mix as a major contender. The 2024 Olympic silver medallist in the 1500m brings proven championship experience and a résumé that includes four national titles — two each in the 1500m and 5000m.

Meanwhile, Kenya’s Mary Moraa will be looking for redemption. The Olympic bronze medallist over 800m was surprisingly off the pace in Kingston, finishing eighth overall.

Making her Grand Slam debut is Ethiopian Challenger Freweyni Hailu, the 1500m world indoor champion in 2024 and 2025 3000m indoor champion. Hailu could very well be the woman to beat in Miami.

Racers: Jess Hull, Nikki Hiltz, Diribe Welteji, Mary Moraa

Challengers: Shafiqua Maloney, Freweyni Hailu, Emily Mackay, Lucia Stafford

Men’s Long Distance (3000m/5000m)

It's been a great year for Grant Fisher so far after setting two world indoor records and winning the Kingston Slam. The Olympic bronze medallist made waves in the indoor season, first clocking 7:22.91 to win the thrilling 3000m race against 1500m Olympic champion Cole Hocker, breaking Lamecha Girma’s previous record of 7:23.81. Then, Fisher took on a solo effort in the 5000m at Boston University, smashing Kenenisa Bekele’s long-standing record with a run of 12:44.09, surpassing the old mark of 12:49.60.

In the Olympic final, Fisher finished just behind Jakob Ingebrigtsen, who took gold, and Kenya’s Ronald Kwemoi, who won silver. Kwemoi, a Racer, will be looking for redemption in Miami after a disappointing sixth place in Kingston.

Adding depth to the line-up are America’s Cooper Teare and Ireland’s Andrew Coscoran.

Britain will also be well represented in this category with two strong entries: George Mills and Sam Atkin. Mills, coming off a strong indoor season, earned silver at the European Indoor Championships in Apeldoorn—once again finishing behind Ingebrigtsen, echoing their 2024 outdoor showdown in Rome. He now makes his Grand Slam debut in Miami.

On the other hand, Sam Atkin enters Miami without any prior track races this year. The British record-holder over 5km on the road has yet to open his 2025 track season, although he won the Carlsbad 5000 on the roads recently, making his performance an anticipated one.

Racers: Grant Fisher, Ronald Kwemoi

Challengers: Amon Kemboi, Cooper Teare, Andrew Coscoran, George Mills, Sam Atkin, Dawit Seare

Women’s Long Distance (3000m/5000m)

Kenya’s Agnes Ngetich, the women’s 10km world record-holder, will return to Grand Slam Track. She most recently broke the women's-only world 10km record last weekend in Herzogenaurach with 29:27. After finishing second in Kingston, Ngetich will be aiming for gold, especially with the absence of the Kingston champion, Ejgayehu Taye. Without Taye in the mix, Ngetich has a clear shot at the top spot.

However, she will face fierce competition from Ethiopia’s Tsige Gebreselama. Known for her exceptional times, Gebreselama is the faster of the two on paper, boasting personal bests of 14:18.76 in the 5000m and 8:24.40 in the 3000m. Ngetich’s own strong track credentials, including a 3000m best of 8:32.62 and a 5000m PB of 14:36.70, will surely be put to the test.

Joining them as a Challenger is Ethiopia’s Medina Eisa, a rising star in the long-distance field. Eisa has been making waves in the junior ranks, winning gold in the 5000m at both the 2022 and 2024 World Under-20 Championships. She also earned silver in the junior women’s race at the 2023 World Cross Country Championships.

Racers: Nozomi Tanaka, Tsige Gebreselama, Agnes Ngetich, Elise Cranny

Challengers: Aynadis Mebratu, Janeth Chepngetich, Medina Eisa, Hirut Meshesha

Timetable (BST)

Friday May 2

22:42 - Women’s 100m hurdles (Short Hurdles)

22:51 - Men’s 1500m (Short Distance)

23:06 - Men's 400m hurdles (Long Hurdles)

23:16 - Women’s 5000m (Long Distance)

23:40 - Men’s 200m (Long Sprints)

23:52 - Women’s 100m (Short Sprints)

00:01 - Men’s 3000m (Long Distance)

00:21 - Women's 400m (Long Sprints)

Saturday May 3

22:42 - Women's 400m hurdles (Long Hurdles)

22:56 - Men’s 400m (Long Sprints)

23:10 - Women’s 100m (Short Hurdles)

23:22 - Women’s 1500m (Short Distance)

23:39 - Men's 110m hurdles (Short Hurdles)

23:53 - Men’s 100m (Short Sprints)

00:05 - Men’s 800m (Short Distance)

00:21 - Women’s 200m (Short Sprints)

Sunday May 4

20:42 - Women’s 800m (Short Distance)

20:55 - Men’s 100m (Short Hurdles)

21:04 - Women’s 3000m (Long Distance)

21:23 - Men’s 400m (Long Hurdles)

21:35 - Women's 200m (Long Sprints)

21:44 - Men’s 5000m (Long Distance)

22:09 - Women’s 400m (Long Hurdles)

22:21 - Men's 200m (Short Sprints)

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.