Grand Slam Track’s third stop of its debut season landed in Philadelphia last weekend, and for the first time, it felt like something bigger might be building.
Condensed into a two-day format at Franklin Field, the meet drew a crowd of more than 10,000 fans per day, a rare feat for U.S.-based track and field, and produced world-leading marks from Kenny Bednarek and Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, plus a breakthrough distance win from Nico Young.
Why it matters
The Philadelphia meet offered a glimpse of what Grand Slam Track could become: fast, watchable, fan-friendly pro competition on American soil.
This was the first Slam to deliver both high-end racing and a real in-stadium buzz, after earlier meets in Jamaica and Florida saw strong performances but light attendance.
What happened
Jefferson-Wooden and Bednarek sweep again — in style
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden ran the fastest women’s 100m in the world this year — a 10.73 personal best that also ties her for 10th all-time globally. The 23-year-old backed it up with a 21.99 win in the 200m the day before, holding off Olympic champ Gabby Thomas.
Kenny Bednarek matched her sweep, winning the 200m in 19.95 and following with a 9.86 in the 100m, his fastest time ever and tied for the 2025 world lead. The Olympic and World silver medalist remains unbeaten across six Slam sprint races.
Both athletes train in Florida under Dennis Mitchell and now lead their groups as they head into the final Slam in Los Angeles.
Nico Young wins 3,000m with a big close
In his GST debut, 22-year-old Nico Young closed in 25.61 over the final 200 meters to win the 3,000m in 8:01.03. With Grant Fisher a late scratch due to a hamstring issue, Young seized the moment and looked sharp doing it. His win follows an indoor season that included a 3:50 mile and 12:51 5,000m.
Behind him, Sam Gilman — now training with the Air Force’s World Class Athlete Program — kicked from last to second in the final lap, continuing his strong 2025 form.
Josh Kerr outkicks Cole Hocker in loaded 1,500m
Olympic champion Josh Kerr beat fellow medalist Cole Hocker in a tightly contested men’s 1,500m, 3:34.44 to 3:34.51. Hocker led into the final stretch, but Kerr, who has a Worlds bye, powered past in the final 30 meters.
Canada’s Marco Arop, coming off a dominant 800m win in 1:43.38, finished 4th and secured the Slam title for the middle-distance group. But his aggressive mid-race moves again cost him a podium spot at 1,500m.
Welteji sweeps again; U.S. women struggle
Ethiopia’s Diribe Welteji continued her strong Slam campaign by winning both the women’s 1,500m (3:58.04) and 800m (1:58.94). Nikki Hiltz was again consistent, placing 3rd in the 1,500m in 4:00.54, but has yet to win an event despite top-three finishes in all three Slams.
The American 800m group had a rough outing. Addy Wiley went out hard but faded to 6th (2:00.93), while Nia Akins DNF’d the 1,500m and jogged in last in the 800m, nearly 15 seconds behind the field.
By the numbers
- 10.73 – Melissa Jefferson-Wooden’s world-leading 100m time
- 9.86 – Kenny Bednarek’s PB and world-lead-equalling 100m time
- $100,000 – Grand Slam group champion prize
- 25.61 – Final 200m split by Nico Young in the 3,000m
- >10,000 – Estimated daily crowd at Franklin Field
The bigger picture
The condensed two-day format, while criticized by some for cutting the 5,000m, seemed to work. Athletes had more recovery, fans got a tighter product, and the broadcast looked better with a fuller stadium.
CBC Sports’ Morgan Campbell called it “a sensible compromise” for a league still learning how to engage a broader audience.
Still, there are trade-offs. Fewer events mean fewer chances — and fewer paychecks — for distance athletes, a tension the league may need to address in future seasons.
What’s next
The final Slam heads to Los Angeles this summer. The stakes: a major market, (hopefully) another big crowd, and $1 million in additional prize money.
Jefferson-Wooden and Bednarek will aim to go a perfect 8-for-8. Young has momentum in the distance events. And the league itself? After a shaky start, Philly might be the turning point it needed.
