by Alfonz Juck
Two Grand Slam records, first Philly Slam winner Ngetich
PHILADELPHIA (USA, May 31): Opening day of 3rd Grand Slam Track leg in cooler conditions than Kingston and Miramar with more than half of Franklin Field filled. Two GST records by Arop (800) and Welteji (1500 m), commanding wins for Bednarek and dos Santos continuing to be unbeaten in the circuit. First Slam win of the weekend for Agnes Ngetich in women Long Distance (this time only one race). 200 m PB for Jefferson, bad luck for Naser as she was dq and surprise by Britt. Many stadium records and good 12.70 by Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone.
Men
Short Sprints: Kenny Bednarek the sprint king of GST wins his 5th race, at difficult curve of Franklin Field 19.95 (0.0) way ahead of Hughes 20.50 and A. Brown 20.50.
Long Sprints: British Kingston Slam winner MHS in 44.51 as only one sub 45. After 2nd and 3rd his first 400 m GST win. McRae in 45.04 beat Richards 45.05. Still 200m to come on Sunday and can change the cards.
Short Distance: World champ Arop won also the third 800 m of the circuit, this time with fastest 1:43.38 (negative split) GST record and SB and stadium record. 800 specialists ruled over milers as Hoey was 2nd 1:44.41, followed by Nuguse 1:45.36, Kerr fifth 1:45.80, Hocker 6th 1:45.81. Will it be this time enough for Arop?
Short Hurdles: Surprise win for Jamal Britt who just last weekend was DNF in Zagreb with 13.08 (stadium record, +0.7). And Britt improved this year to 10.20 in the 100 m. WL holder Tinch 2nd 13.10 ahead of Miramar Slam winner Cunningham 13.18. Europeans struggling, Simonelli 5th, Szymanski 8th.
Long Hurdles: Brazilian Alison dos Santos continues in winning ways and topped also his 5th GST race in controlled style in last 100 m with 48.11, another Franklin Field best. Bassitt closed well 48.25 SB (7th in the 2025 lists) over Chris Robinson 48.76 SB (has 44.15 can attack Dos Santos).
Women
Short Sprints: Melissa Jefferson in outside lane for 1st time sub 22, with 21.99 PB (+1.1), also third fastest of the year and stadium record. G. Thomas was closing 22.10 and third T. Davis 22.59 already some space behind. Jefferson on good way to win another Slam as 100 is considered her stronger event.
Long Sprints: Oly winner Marileidy Paulino timed it well and won in 49.12, stadium record and SB for her, 2nd best this year. Naser beaten 49.47 despite leading at 300 36.10 to 36.24. Also ran last meters in another lane and was dq. Pryce 2nd 50.04 and Whittaker 3rd 50.16 (outdoor PB).
Short Distance: Diribe Welteji GST record 3:58.04, also facility record and equals outdoor WL of Chepchirchir from Rabat. Hull close second 3:58.36 and Hiltz third 4:00.54. Fourth Hunter-Bell 4:00.85 outdoor EL. Sunday´s 800 m will be interesting.
Long Distance: Road WR holder Agnes Ngetich wins the Slam and 50k (only one race in long distance) in close finish over Taye 8:43.61 stadium record to 8:43.70. Third Andrews 8:44.70. All went under 9 minutes. Ngetich won Miami and Taye Kingston before.
Short Hurdles: Miami Slam winner Ackera Nugent with clear 1st place 12.44 (-0.4) ahead of T. Jones 12.60 and Tapper 12.66 with Marshall 12.68 and Sydney M-L brave 12.70, her second fastest ever.
Long Hurdles: Without previous both legs winner Sydney M-L, the 1st place for Anna Cockrell from outside lane clearly 54.04, stadium record. Three more sub 55: J. Jones 54.65, Knight 54.86 and Muhammad 54.88. Flat race on Sunday might be an open story.
