Matt Hudson-Smith and Kenny Bednarek scorch to victory on thrilling Grand Slam Track Philadelphia Day 1
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Updated 01/06/2025 at 08:13 GMT+1
TNT Sports brought you live text coverage of day one of the third round of Grand Slam Track athletics from Franklin Field in Philadelphia. This event is over just two days so there was an extra packed slate featuring British and global stars including Josh Kerr and Olympic 200m champion Gabby Thomas. Watch and stream Grand Slam Track on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Highlights: Bednarek, McLaughlin-Levrone claim Miami crowns as Hughes pipped
Video credit: TNT Sports
Hudson-Smith and Bednarek headline the winners on thrilling Philly Day 1
Matt Hudson-Smith eased to 400m victory and Kenny Bednarek continued his sprinting dominance on day one of the Philadelphia Grand Slam Track at Franklin Field.
A raucous crowd filled much of the lower deck of one of the oldest and grandest athletics stadiums in the US and even a spattering of rain could not dampen their spirits as they were rewarded with some thrillingly close races and several upsets.
Reigning Olympic champions Gabby Thomas and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone both dropped down a category to the Short Sprints and Short Hurdles respectively, but both were beaten with the former losing over her favoured 200m distance.
Thomas was downed by Melissa Jefferson-Wooden who had been the woman to beat in the Short Sprints before Thomas joined in Philadelphia, and stamped her authority over the category by handily outsprinting the Paris gold-medallist after exploding onto the bend and then holding that advantage all the way down the finishing straight as Thomas settled for second.
McLaughlin-Levrone did not enter the 100m hurdles with the same expectations as her compatriot but was still off the pace in fourth behind Ackera Nugent, while Challenger Anna Cockrell won the 400m hurdles on debut in Grand Slam Track.
Hudson-Smith had no such trouble, though, seeing off a strong start from main rival Jereem Richards before easing away on the main straight and able to leave something in the tank for the 200m on the second day as he attempts to win his second Long Sprints slam.
That was the highlight of Team GB’s Saturday as Dina Asher-Smith ran a fantastic bend in the women’s 200m but was somewhat swamped on the straight and finished fourth, Zharnel Hughes was second to Bednarek and Josh Kerr kept his powder dry in the men’s 800m ahead of his favoured event.
Kerr finished over two seconds behind runaway Canadian Marco Arop who demolished the Short Distance field, while Diribe Welteji outkicked Jess Hull in a barnstorming women’s 1500m that saw the pair set a brutal pace and drop their six competitors to clock the fastest event time in Grand Slam Track so far with Britain's Georgia Turner Bell fourth.
Bednarek continues to dominate the men’s Short Sprints as he blasted away on the home straight of the 200m to make it five wins from five in Grand Slam Track, the competition having significantly raised his profile as evidenced by the manic welcome he received from the Pennsylvania crowd ahead of his race.
The Racer of the Year picture is becoming clearer as now only Bednarek and Alison dos Santos retain perfect records after the Brazilian ghosted to victory on the main straight of the men’s 400m hurdles, having exited the final bend level with Trevor Bassitt (who finished second) and the fast-starting Chris Robinson.
Bednarek leads Dos Santos courtesy of his ‘dominance score’ for a bigger relative average margin of victory, while Jefferson-Wooden now leads the women’s competition but is being pushed all the way by Marileidy Paulino.
The Dominican won a 400m that saw main rival Salwa Eid Naser disqualified for changing lanes, right after Agnes Ngetich had won one of the closest races of the day in a revamped Long Distance event.
In a carbon copy of the women’s 3000m finish in Miami, the Kenyan had led most of the race and dropped the field except one Ethiopian - this time Ejgayehu Taye - who attempted to move off her shoulder and overtake in the final 200m.
Yet Ngetich dug deep once again to win and pocket $50,000 immediately with the discipline reduced to a one-race event. And just before Nugent bested McLaughlin-Levrone in the final event of the day, the fastest man over 110m hurdles in the world this season, Cordell Tinch, was edged out by Challenger Jamal Britt who won from lane two in a photo finish.
Philadelphia saw 22 races condensed into just two days and the altered format worked wonders in providing non-stop action for the vocal crowd, as did the double-headers of men’s and women’s races over the same distance back-to-back.
That will continue on day two when the two 100m races provide the finale, directly after Kerr attempts to win over 1500m for the second event running against reigning Olympic champion Cole Hocker.
Day 2 schedule
Enjoy that? Well there's 11 more races where that came from. Here's the slate, hopefully taking place in front of another vociferous Franklin Field crowd who made this the best day of Grand Slam Track so far.
And we finish with a scintillating 100m sprint double, so be sure to tune in on TNT Sports 2 and discovery+ as coverage starts at 20:30.
20:41 - Men’s 400m (Long Hurdles)
20:50 - Women’s 400m (Long Hurdles)
20:59 - Women’s 800m (Short Distance)
21:09 - Men’s 100m (Short Hurdles)
23:22 - Women’s 100m (Short Hurdles)
22:25 - Men’s 3000m (Long Distance)
22:42 - Women’s 200m (Long Sprints)
22:51 - Men’s 200m (Long Sprints)
23:00 - Men’s 1500m (Short Distance)
22:07 - Women’s 100m (Short Sprints)
22:16 - Men’s 100m (Short Sprints)
Nugent has eyes on the prize
There's 100,000 things on Ackera Nugent's mind entering the 100m flat sprint - she likes the event and looks in pole position to take the top prize, as she said straight after her victory:
"I just needed to execute my race. It's come along very nicely for me and I'm just being patient as the races go by, all I've got to do is keep the momentum from today to tomorrow.
And hopefully I'll have another 100 grand!"
Nugent cruises to victory
McLaughlin-Levrone started well but was nowhere in the second 50m as Nugent scorches away! It was a but it's a crushing to end what's been a fantastically competitive Grand Slam day one, as Tia Jones is second.
Results: 1. Nugent - 12.44, 2. Jones, 3. Tapper, 4. Marshall, 5. McLaughlin-Levrone, 6. Kambundji, 7. Danielle Williams, 8. Clemons.
Short Sprints Sydney to finish
And it's the women's 100m hurdles to finish, featuring a certain Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone dropping down a distance.
Startlist lanes 1-8: Megan Tapper, Tia Jones, Ditaji Kambundji, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Ackera Nugent, Danielle Williams, Tonea Marshall, Christine Clemons.
Britt pips Tinch in photo finish!
Tinch hit the front around halfway down the track and looked set to pull away, but Britt has other ideas from lane two! He clinches it on the lunge, that's the tightest race so far.
Results: 1. Britt - 13.08, 2. Tinch, 3. Cunningham, 4. Roberts, 5. Simonelli, 6. Crittenden, 7. Edwards Jr, 8. Syzmanski.
Hurdles action to finish
Unbelievably there's only two races to go - both Short Hurdles! Look out for Tinch, the fastest man in the world this year over in this race.
Startlist: Eric Edwards Jr (USA). Jamal Britt (USA), Lorenzo Ndele Simonelli (Ita). Freddie Crittenden (USA), Daniel Roberts (USA), Cordell Tinch (USA), Trey Cunningham (USA), Jakub Szymanski (Pol).
Eid Naser DQ'ed
Replays show she snuck into Pryce's lane while she was coming off the bend but crucially still turning, and so she's out.
Updated Women's 400m results: 1. Paulino - 49.12, 2. Pryce, 3. Whittaker, 4. Holmes, 5. Mawdsley, 6. Nielsen, 7. Gbai, DQ - Eid Naser.
Welteji beats Hull in 1500m battle royale
It's heartbreak for Hull - not that you'd know it from the smile that never seems to leave her face. Weltieji led out a fast first lap and when the pace dropped a fraction, Hull immediately came to the front to pile on the hurt.
Howver, Welteji was able to stay with her and had the faster kick to the line, it looked worryingly easy too so look out for Welteji in the 800m...
Behind, Hiltz won a three-way battle for third as Caldwell did initially pass Hunter Bell, only to fade back to fifth.
Result: 1. Welteji - 3:58.04, 2. Hull, 3. Hiltz, 4. Hunter Bell, 5. Caldwell, 6. Wiley, 7. Moraa, 8. Akins.
Women's 1500m still to come
Britain's Olympic bronze medallist Georgia Hunter Bell is the Challenger to watch, Jess Hull should improve from Miami too.
Startlist: Jess Hull (Aus), Nikki Hiltz (USA), Diribe Welteji (Eth), Mary Moraa (Ken), Georgia Hunter Bell (GBR), Nia Akins (USA), Abbey Caldwell (Aus), Addy Wiley (USA).
Hudson-Smith: I've got nothing to prove
Hudson-Smith said the key to his more dominant victory this time was not tearing his hamstring in the lead-up to the Grand Slam or even at it, unlike Kingston and Miami:
"I'm healthy, just wanted to get the win, didn't really care about the time, haven't got a lot to priove, that's it.
"It's about being strategic, getting the points, playing to your strengths. I knew if I won the 400 that would set me up for tomorrow in the most perfect way possible so I did."
Hudson-Smith takes brilliant come-from-behind 400m victory!
What a race! Richards had made up the stagger on Hudson-Smith by the start of the final bend aiming to throw off the Brit's race but that backfired in the final 200m.
Hudson-Smith's response is classy, just easing up a gear to stay level around the curve, then exploding away up the straight to win comfortably!
Behind, McRae finished fantastically fast and pipped Richards, who in turn just about beat Samukonga to hold onto third.
Result: 1. Hudson-Smith - 44.51, 2. McRae, 3. Richards, Samukonga, 5. Boling, 6. Ogando, 7. Powell, 8. Gardiner.
400m double-header
These Short Sprints and Long Sprints double-headers have been great value so far and we hae the men's 400m up next! This one should be all about Jereem Richards v Britain's Matt Hudson-Smith.
Startlist lanes 1-8: Alexander Ogando (Dom), Khaleb McRae (USA), Jevaughn Powell (Jam), Matthew Boling (USA), Muzala Samukonga (Zam), Jereem Richards (Tri), Matt Hudson-Smith (GBR ), Steven Gardiner (Bah).
Paulino bests Naser
It's another cracker in Philadelphia! As we've seen in a few races so far, lane eight went off like a train but couldn't keep it up and predictably Eid Naser v Paulino was the final battle down the straight.
Naser looked like she was going to move into the lead after a rapid final bend but Paulino found an extra gear to take victory!
And replays show the Bahraini slipped into Pryce's lane, but it was on the straight and she didn't interfere with the Jamaican so it looks like the result will stand.
Results: 1. Paulino - 49.12, 2. Eid Naser, 3. Pryce, 4. Whittaker, 5. Holmes, 6. Mawdsley, 7. Nielsen, 8. Gbai.
Women's 400m coming up
Paris double-bronze medallist Nielsen makes her Grand Slam debut and watch out for Ireland's Mawdsley too. Eid Naser v Paulino has been the battle to watch in the women's Long Sprints so far.
Startlist lanes 1-8: Jessika Gbai (CIV), Sharlene Mawdsely (Ire), Isabella Whittaker (USA), Laviai Nielsen (GBR), Nickisha Pryce (Jam), Salwa Eid Naser (Brn), Marileidy Paulino (Dom), Alexis Holmes (USA - 3)
Ngetich wins race of the night
WHAT. A. FINISH! It was a very different 3000m but a carbon copy finish as after leading virtually the entire race, Ngetich just manages to outkick an Ethiopian challenger attempting to come around her shoulder!
There was a huge cheer when Josette Andrews came to the fore at two-thirds distance but she couldn't live with the African pair who blasted away on a 61-second last lap. Taye looked to have bided her sprint perfectly but Ngetich had other ideas - again - and pockets $50,000 for the Slam on the spot!
Results: 1. Ngetich 8:43.61, 2. Taye, 3. Andrews, 4. Kelati, 5. Cranny, 6. Eisa, 7. Tanaka, 8. Gebreselama.
Ngetich taking the 3000m on
We had a slow start of 3:05/km, and Ngetich seems worried as she starts to pump the gas at the front. Remember, this race came down to that thrilling sprint between Ngetich and Eisa in Miami.
New-look Long Distance up next
Remember, there's just the one event in Long Distance now and it's the women's 3000m next on the card:
Startlist: Nozomi Tanaka (Jap), Tsige Gebreselama (Eth), Agnes Ngetich (Ken), Elise Cranny (USA), Ejgayehu Taye (Eth), Weini Kelati (USA), Medina Eisa (Eth), Josette Andrews (USA).
Fighting talk from Mel
Jefferson-Wooden had no hesitation when asked if she expected to beat Thomas, after placing third over 200m last time out:
"I've been training for it, I told myself what happened in Miami wasn't going to happen again.
I'm tired of playing around, it's time!
Jefferson-Wooden beats Thomas in 200m!
Wow, that's a surprise! She started quickest of anyone in the rain as Asher-Smith ran a brilliant bend, we kept expecting Thomas to haul her in but Jefferson-Wooden holds her effort wonderfully. Her face was a picture across the line, but she won't care, that's a hu-huge result!
Result: 1. Jefferson-Wooden - 21.99, 2. Thomas, 3. Davis, 4. Asher-Smith, 5. Mays, 6. Prandini, 7. Mays, 8. Davies.
Over to the women
Reigning Olympic champion Gabby Thomas is back for the women's 200m, Jefferson-Wooden has been going well.
Startlist lanes 1-8: Celera Barnes, Thelma Davies (Lib), Jenna Prandini (USA), Jadyn Mays (USA), Tamari Davis (USA), Dina Asher-Smith (USA), Gabby Thomas (USA), Melissa Jefferson-Wooden (USA), Jenna Prandini (USA)
Bednarek loving Franklin Field
Grand Slam Track has really helped Bednarek establish himself as a true sprinting superstar - and put $200,000 and counting in his pocket - as he took his record to five from five. He said:
"First time here, I didn't know what to expect I know there's a lot of history here but I'm loving the crowd they came out to show, track is fast and I'm having a good time."
Kenny smashes 200m field!
There was daylight between Bednarek and the rest, he runs a 19.95 and had made up the stagger on Brown almost instantly!
Coleman started strongly but faded as Hughes was best of the rest, just edging out Brown - they finished on the same time to a hundredth of a second. What's scariest is Bednarek didn't even look like he was trying in the last 50 metres - though it's still a good result for Hughes.
Result: 1. Bednarek - 19.95, 2. Hughes, 3. Brown, 4. De Grasse, 5. Levell, 6. Coleman, 7. Onwuzurike, 8. Miller.
Bring on the Short Sprints!
It's a 200m double-header coming up now! First up, the men with Kenny the one to beat but Zharnel Hughes will hope to spring the upset...
Startlist lanes 1-8: Christian Miller (USA), Christian Coleman (USA), Udodi Onwuzurike (Nig), Bryan Levell (Jam), Andre De Grasse (Can), Zharnel Hughes (GBR), Kenny Bednarek (USA), Aaron Brown (Can)
Arop crushes 800m!
Arop has demolished the field with that, it's a crushing victory. It wasn't the quickest first lap but the Canadian just floored it on the first chance he's had in the Short Distance to run his best event first.
What's even more depressing is it didn't even look like he was trying! Hoey took it on in response and was best of the rest while Nuguse is in good ahead of his favoured event.
Arop told TNT Sports he's ready to claim the Slam today, and added: "It felt great, the crowd, look at this! It's easy to run fast in a stadium like this so I had to put on a show for them."
Result: 1. Arop - 1:43.38, 2. Hoey, 3. Nuguse, 4. Kessler, 5. Kerr, 6. Hocker, 7. Chapple, 8. Giles.
Kerr up next
The men's Short Distance has produced fireworks so far, will we see more of that here? We'll see a bizarre break thanks to Franklin Field's truncated nature, keep an eye out for Challengers Hobbs Kessler and Elliot GIles.
Startlist: Marco Arop (Can), Cole Hocker (USA), Josh Kerr (GBR), Yared Nuguse (USA), Hobbs Kessler (USA), Josh Hoey (USA), Elliot Giles (GBR), Samuel Chappie (Ned).
Dos Santos reveals simple plan
Crossing the line first is hardly a revolutionary idea, Alison! He said after that win:
"The idea today was cross the line first, the track's a bit different, faced some good running but got 12 points, I want to leave with 24."
Dos Santos remains perfect in Long Hurdles!
Robinson ran a ridiculously fast first 200m in lane one - a quirk of Franklin Field means he started behind the finish line.
Dos Santos had an untidy start but recovered to enter the home straight level with Robinson and Bassitt, and just eased away from the paiur as Bassitt took second on debut with a season's best time.
Result: 1. Alison dos Santos - 48.11, 2. Bassitt, 3. Robinson, 4. Dean, 5. Allen, 6. Wilson, 7. Drummond, 8. Ducos.
Long Hurdles action keeps coming
And just like that we're onto the next race, the men's 400m hurdles! Dos Santos has won all four races in the Long Hurdles so far
Startlist lanes 1-8: Assinie WIlson (Jam), Chris Robinson (USA), Gerald Drummond (CRC), Trevor Bassitt (USA), Caleb Dean (USA), Alison dos Santos (Bra), Clement Ducos (Fra), CJ Allen (USA).
Cockrell excited by win on debut
Clayton spoke to TNT Sports' Radzi Chinyanganya after the win:
"It was exciting, it's a historic venue, haven't been here since high school so it's good to back.
"It's exciting to compete against really really talented women, it's a great event so happy to get the win and get it done, my parents and family are here."
Cockrell takes opening win in Philadelphia!
Rushell Clayton burst out of the blocks but was overhauled at the halfway stage, as Little pulled up at hurdle seven. Cockrell was the class of the field and led the whole last 200m but there was excitement behind with runners four abreast entering the home straight. Jones finished the fastest though to claim second, with Knight in third set to take the overall lead.
Result: 1. Cockrell - 54.04, 2. Jones, 3. Knight, 4. Muhammed, 5. Clayton, 6. Nielsen, 7. Folorunso, DNS - Little.
Women's 400m hurdles first up
There's a packed crowd at one of the most historic athletics stadium in the world, and the absence of Syndey McLaughlin-Levrone in the Long Hurdles hasn't dampened Franklin Field.
Startlist lanes 1-8: Lina Nielsen (GBR), Ayomide Folorunso (Ita), Dalilah Muhammad (USA), Andrenette Knight (Jam), Jasmine Jones (USA), Shamier Little (USA), Rushell Clayton (Jam), Anna Cockrell (USA).
Mark your cards
21:39 - Women’s 400m Hurdles (Long Hurdles)
21:48 - Men’s 400m Hurdles (Long Hurdles)
21:57 - Men’s 800m (Short Distance)
22:07 - Men’s 200m (Short Sprints)
22:16 - Women’s 200m (Short Sprints)
22:25 - Women’s 3000m (Long Distance)
22:42 - Women’s 400m (Long Sprints)
22:51 - Men’s 400m (Long Sprints)
23:00 - Women’s 1500m (Short Distance)
23:13 - Men’s 110m Hurdles (Short Hurdles)
23:22 - Women’s 100m Hurdles (Short Hurdles)
Hello and welcome!
Grand Slam Track returns for its fourth outing and this time it's packed into two days meaning there's even more pulsating action and superstars to cram into tonight's schedule!
TNT Sports 2 and discovery+ are live from Philadelphia right now with all the build-up ahead of the first race getting underway in less than 10 minutes!
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USA's Gabrielle Thomas crosses the finish line in first place in the women's 200m during the Grand Slam Track competition on April 4, 2025.
Image credit: Getty Images
What is the format of Grand Slam Track?
Each Slam consists of six event categories for both males and females, which all include two disciplines that take place over the weekend - except long distance which has been reduced to just the 3,000m for Philadelphia.
Each category includes eight competitors, with four of those being contracted 'Grand Slam Racers' and will be joined by four Grand Slam Challengers in each race.
The event categories are as follows:
- Short Sprints: 100m & 200m
- Short Hurdles: 100m(F) / 110m(M) Hurdles & 100m Flat
- Long Sprints: 200m & 400m
- Long Hurdles: 400m Hurdles & 400m Flat
- Short Distance: 800m & 1,500m
- Long Distance: 3,000m
All athletes compete in both events of their chosen discipline, meaning that a short distance runner will run in both the 100m and 200m.
Points will be scored across both events that are added together, and are awarded as follows: 12-8-6-5-4-3-2-1 for 1st to 8th place.
These points are used to generate the final standings, and any ties will be settled by whoever has the fastest combined running time.
These points do not carry over to the next Slam, but there will be a 'Racer of the Year' award in each race group for the competitor with the best cumulative score.
What is the prize money?
- First place: $100,000
- Second place: $50,000
- Third place: $30,000
- Fourth place: $25,000
- Fifth place: $20,000
- Sixth place: $15,000
- Seventh place: $12,500
- Eighth place: $10,000
How to watch Grand Slam Track 2025 on TNT Sports and discovery+?
TNT Sports is available across all major TV platforms, offering a line-up of up to four TV channels (TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports 2, TNT Sports 3, TNT Sports 4), and up to six digital or red-button channels (TNT Sports 5 to 10), and TNT Sports Ultimate plus TNT Sports Box Office HD.
You can subscribe to TNT Sports through discovery+, BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.
Watch the best sporting action live and on-demand via discovery+.
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