by Larry EderThe New Balance Indoor Grand Prix was held on January 24, 2026. The NBIGP is now in its 31rst year, and has been sponsored by New Balance since 2011. Since 2023, the NB Indoor GP was held at TRACK at New Balance. Here are my five takeaways from the 31rst New Balance Indoor GP, held in Boston, MA:
- Josh Hoey breaks 28 year-old world record of Wilson Kipketer! Josh Hoey, who set the 600 meter WR of 1:12.84, on December 6, 2025, came to Boston with the desire to challenge the record of Wilson Kipketer, DEN, who ran 1:42.67 on March 9, 1997 in Paris, France. Josh Hoey had his training partner, and brother, Jaxon Hoey, take him through the 400 meters, in 50.87. Hoey was on his own from there and battled the iconic record, setting a new WR of 1:42.50 and delighting the crowd. The World Indoor Champion from Nanjing 2025 is showing great fitness. He will now have to battle an energized American 800 meter event and a world event that is both fast and competitive!
- Hobbs Kessler sets new World record (and AR) at the 2000 meters! A fantastic race in The TRACK at New Balance on January 24. The sell out crowd of five thousand, on a very cold day, witnessed a real race. Davis Bove (mile PB then, of 3:56), took the field through the 800m in 1:54.16, 1000m in 2:23.57, 1,200m in 2:53.17, and was passed by Grant Fisher at the 1600m (3:52.67) with Bove at 3:52.96, before Bove stopped running. After 1,600m it was Fisher behing pursued by Hobbs Kessler. Hobbs Kessler took over from Grant Fisher (AR at 10,000m, WR holder at 3,000m and 5,000m short track). Hobbs Kessler was all in as he pushed himself to a new place, and the record of Kenenisa Bekele, ETH, (4:49.99, 2007,) was no more. Hobbs Kessler ran 4:48.79 WR/NR, Grant Fisher ran 4:49.46, also under Bekele. Pieter Sisk, BEL, ran 4:52.41 ER/NR, Jake Wightman, GB, NR record of 4:53.69, Foster Malleck, CAN, NR of 4:54.08, Romain Mornet, FRA, NR of 4:55.54. A distance that is not run often, but is terribly difficult to race well.
- Epic 3,000 meters for women, with Elle St. Pierre, Jess Hull and Linden Hull. In January 2024, Jess Hull and Elle St. Pierre battled to the finish, where Jess Hull won in Australian NR of 8:24.93, and Elle St. Pierre in 8:25.25. In 2026, Elle St. Pierre was just back from having her second son, and this was her first race. Jess Hull faltered with three laps to go, and fellow Australian World cross gold medalist (mixed relay) Linden Hall battled Elle, who was revitalized. Hall lead until the last hundred meters, when Elle St. Pierre, the 2024 World Indoor Champ, 2022 World Indoor silver, both at 3000 meters, went to the front and won in 8:26.54, with Linden Hall (AUS), 8:27.03 and Jess Hull (AUS), 8;36.03. Elle St. Pierre is back to world class fitness!
- Roisin Willis opens meet with WL! Roisin Willis wins the 800 meters in 1:59.59 PB which is also the WL! Roissin won the NCAA titles in 2025, plus USA titles! Isabelle Boffey, GB ran to second in PB of 2:00.14 and Victoria Bossong, USA, who was passed by Boffey, takes third in PB of 2:00.PB.
