by Deji Ogeyingbo
Grand Slam Track: The Kenny Bednarek Show Rolls Into Philly
Kenny Bednarek doesn’t talk much. He doesn’t need to. His legs have done plenty of that for him this spring, and they’ve been loud.
Through two stops of Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track series, first in Kingston, then in Miramar, Bednarek has owned the short sprints. He’s unbeaten in his individual races, pulling away from loaded fields in both the 100 and 200 meters. As the series shifts to Philadelphia this weekend, the picture is becoming clear about how this has been the Kung Fu Keeny show.
The thing is, not everyone’s noticed.
Grand Slam Track was designed to innovate, to give elite sprinters a focused stage across four cities. And while others have shown flashes, Bednarek has been the one consistently lighting it up. In Kingston, he ran a smooth 20.07 in the 200. In Miramar, he followed with a sharper 19.84, his fastest of the year and the current world lead. He also posted a wind-aided 9.79 in the 100 meters the same weekend, reminding everyone that he can finish just as strong over half the distance.
Still, the headlines haven’t followed him the way they do for others. He hasn’t sparked much debate on social media or been chased by cameras post-race. Maybe it has to do with his personality or his brand that doesn’t immediately scream attention, but still, he’s getting the job on the track.
This weekend in Philadelphia, the GST will open with the 200 meters, the event that’s become Bednarek’s domain. He’s not just winning these races. He’s controlling them. His margin of victory in both meets has hovered around 0.30 seconds, which in the 200 is a gap, not a lean. Most sprinters spend their careers trying to win by that much. Bednarek is doing it consistently.
It’s been the kind of run that should spark more attention. Especially given the cast of challengers. Christian Coleman, while still dangerous, has had a slow start to his outdoor season, not running inside 10s in each of his three meets in Asia. Andre De Grasse has historically taken longer to find his rhythm early in the year. Meanwhile, teenage phenom Christian Miller is still adjusting to life as a pro.
It’s not just the raw times, though those are impressive enough. What’s stood out most has been his ability to string performances together without a drop. April to May, 20.07 to 19.84. In the 100, from a conservative 10.07 in Kingston to a blistering 9.79 in Miami (albeit with a favorable wind).
There’s no flash to his presence. He steps onto the track with a job to do, and so far, he’s done it better than anyone in the series. Philly might be the tipping point.
Franklin Field carries a history in the sport. It’s a venue that’s crowned champions and launched breakout stars. If Bednarek wins again, especially in the fashion he has over the past two stops, the attention will come. It has to. Winning once can be luck. Twice can be timing. But three in a row, across countries and conditions, is a run that demands recognition.
Of course, he’ll have challengers. Coleman will be there. So will Aaron Brown, Udodi Onwuzurike, and Zharnel Hughes, all capable of running under 20 seconds in the 200m. But none of them have looked as sharp, as in control, or as hungry as Bednarek has over the last six weeks.
Track and field has always had room for personalities. But it also makes room for those who simply win. Bednarek may never be the loudest. But if he keeps this up, he’ll be impossible to ignore.
Philadelphia will tell us a lot. Will he keep his perfect Grand Slam record intact? Will someone finally push him? Or will Kenny Bednarek, the soft-spoken sprinter with a brutal finish, continue his quiet takeover?
