Grand Slam Track Philadelphia - Day One

Franklin Field, Philadephia, PA

The first day of the Grand Slam Track meet began with the women's 400M hurdles. Grand Slam Track is a newly created league of US and international track athletes founded Michael Johnson. The premise of the league is to showcase the fastest competitors over two (and three) days of competition. The winners of the events will receive $100,000 for amassing the most points in the multi-day competition.

Anna Cockrell began the day's competition by setting a facility record in the women's 400M hurdles. She ran a strong opening three hurdles, settled into a rhythm over the next four hurdles and finished strong. Jasmine Jones finished in the second position with Andrenette Knight taking third place.

Andrenette Knight warming up before the women's 400M hurdles, Grand Slam Track, Philadelphia, PA, May 31, 2025

Anna Cockrell racing to hurdle two, women's 400M hurdle competition at Grand Slam Track, Philadelphia, PA, May 31, 2025

Anna Cockrell finishing in the women's 400M hurdle competition at Grand Slam Track, Philadelphia, PA, May 31, 2025

In the men's 400M hurdles, Alison dos Santos kept his Grand Slam dominant hold of the event with another victory. Trevor Bassitt chased Alison to the finishing line, recording his seasonal best time. Chris Robinson ran under 49 seconds to finish in the third position. Chris also set a seasonal best time at the event.

Trevor Bassitt waiting the start of the 400M hurdles at Grand Slam Track, Philadelphia, PA, May 31, 2025.

Alison dos Santos leading Trevor Bassitt and Chris Robinson over the final barriers of the 400M hurdles at Grand Slam Track, Philadelphia, PA, May 31, 2025.

Alison dos Santos finishing ahead of Trevor Bassitt in the 400M hurdles at Grand Slam Track, Philadelphia, PA, May 31, 2025.

In the men's 800M, Marco Arop took out the pace hard, lead through the gun and finished strong to win the event in a seasonal best. Josh Hoey finished in second followed closely by Yared Nuguse.

Marco Arop leads the racers in the men's 800M at Grand Slam Track, Philadelphia, PA, May 31, 2025.

Competitors Josh Kerr, Marco Arop, Josh Hoey, Samuel Chapple and Elliot Giles in the men's 800M at Grand Slam Track, Philadelphia, PA, May 31, 2025.

First place finisher Marco Arop in the men's 800M at Grand Slam Track, Philadelphia, PA, May 31, 2025.

In the men's 200M, Kenny Bednarek continues his winning ways, soundly defeating the high caliber field. "Kung Fun Kenny" ran under 20 seconds, finishing with a time of 19.95. Zharnel Hughes and Aaron Brown both ran 20.50 with Zharnel taking second place and Aaron finishing in the third position.

Kenny Bednarek and Andre De Grasse share a smile before the 200M race at Grand Slam Track, Philadelphia, PA, May 31, 2025.

Kenny Bednarek finishing in first place in the 200M at Grand Slam Track, Philadelphia, PA, May 31, 2025.

Kenny Bednarek leaps during his post race victory celebration at Grand Slam Track, Philadelphia, PA, May 31, 2025.

Melissa Jefferson-Wooden ran a personal best to win the women's 200M defeating a stellar field that included Gaby Thomas and Dina Asher-Smith. Gaby Thomas finished second in a time of 22.10 with Tamari Davis finishing third (22.59)

Moments before the 200M race with Gaby Thomas and Melissa Jefferson-Wooden at Grand Slam Track, Philadelphia, PA, May 31, 2025.

Melissa Jefferson-Wooden wins the women's 200M at Grand Slam Track, Philadelphia, PA, May 31, 2025.

Post race celebration

In the women's 3,000M, Agnes Jebet Ngetich ran from the front, effectively pacing the field for most of the race. Agnes was rewarded with a fast time and the victory. Ejgayehu Taye finished slightly behind in second with Josette Andrews placing third.

Josette Andrews, Ejgayehu Taye, Agnes Jebet Ngetich and Elise Cranny in the early stages of the 3000M at Grand Slam Track, Philadelphia, PA, May 31, 2025

Nozomi Tanaka, Josette Andrews, and Agnes Jebet Ngetich in the 3000M at Grand Slam Track, Philadelphia, PA, May 31, 2025

Josette Andrews, and Agnes Jebet Ngetich battling for the lead in the 3000M at Grand Slam Track, Philadelphia, PA, May 31, 2025

Agnes Jebet Ngetich punches the air in victory celebration over Ejgayehu Taye in the 3000M at Grand Slam Track, Philadelphia, PA, May 31, 2025

Diribe Welteji ran a personal best to narrowly defeat Jessica Hull in the women's 1500M. Diribe Welteji finished in a time of 3:58.04 (a facility record) with Jessica Hull running 3:58.36. Fan and crowd favorite Nikki Hiltz finished third, running 4:00.54.

Diribe Welteji leads the women's 1500M at Grand Slam Track, Philadelphia, PA, May 31, 2025.

Jessica Hull lead Diribe Welteji in the women's 1500M at Grand Slam Track, Philadelphia, PA, May 31, 2025.

Nikki Hiltz and Georgia Hunter Bell pressing the argument in the 1500M at Grand Slam Track, Philadelphia, PA, May 31, 2025.

A victorious Diribe Welteji in the women's 1500M at Grand Slam Track, Philadelphia, PA, May 31, 2025. Jessica Hull (r) finished second.

All photos by Mark Mathis