Josh Kerr kicks to redemption at Grand Slam Track in Miami but GB teammate Matthew Hudson-Smith has work to do
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Updated 03/05/2025 at 10:44 GMT+1
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Josh Kerr was the headline victor on the opening day of the second Grand Slam Track round in Miami. Fellow Team GB stars including Daryll Neita and Matthew Hudson-Smith couldn't replicate that success though, as Melissa Jefferson-Wooden won the women's 100m and Jereem Richards blew the field away in the men's Long Sprints. An unpredictable Miami meet also saw Ireland's Andrew Coscoran triumph.
Highlights: Russell stars in Grand Slam Track Miami Day 1
Video credit: TNT Sports
Kerr stars in Friday of redemption
Josh Kerr bounced back from his disappointing Grand Slam Track opener in style, outsprinting fellow Paris Olympic medallists Cole Hocker and Yared Nuguse to win the 1500m at round two in Miami.
However, fellow Team GB Matt Hudson-Smith is up against it in the Long Sprints after finishing seventh in the 200m event that he won in Kingston, while compatriot Daryll Neita continues to struggle in the Short Sprints.
The highly anticipated women’s 100m battle between reigning Slam queen Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, newcomer Brittany Brown and Olympic sprint champion Gabby Thomas failed to materialise as Neita, Brown and Thomas all struggled out of the blocks and only Tamari Davis could keep Jefferson-Wooden within arm’s reach.
Likewise the men’s 200m was a two-horse race in the Long Sprints, Jereem Richards held off Challenger Alexander Ogando to claim the maximum 12 points while Hudson-Smith managed a season’s best time but picked up just two points as much-improved Muzala Samukonga finished third.
However, Kerr was the biggest story of the night after he was upstaged in Kingston alongside Hocker and Nuguse - all three were beaten by 800m specialist Emmanuel Wanyonyi over their preferred distance though the Kenyan was absent tonight.
The world champion hit back in Miami, biding his time in the pack as Nuguse and Marco Arop led the pack out. Kerr survived a hair-raising moment when he bumped into Peter Bol on the final lap but survived to swing into the wind on the home straight with Hocker and Nuguse his familiar foes in the sprint to the line.
Kerr had timed his surge to perfection though to take his first Grand Slam victory, something Ireland’s Andrew Coscoran repeated to win the men’s 3000m on his debut in the competition.
Grant Fisher was put under more pressure after controlling the event in Kingston and Team GB were well-represented at the front with both George Mills and Sam Atkin leading the pack in the final two laps.
However, Mills faded in the final 200 metres and Fisher could only watch as Coscoran took the lead for the first time at the best possible moment to put himself in pole position in the men’s Long Distance.
Agnes Ngetich ran a polar opposite race to clinch the women’s 5000m, leading virtually every metre of every lap as the Kenyan quickly shook everyone off her heels except the determined Medina Eisa.
Multiple kicks failed to dislodge Eisa who remained in Ngetich’s shadow until the home straight when she appeared set to emerge and break Ngetich’s heart, drawing alongside with around 50 metres to go, before Ngetich dug deep and found another acceleration to break the tape first.
Paris gold medallist Marileidy Paulino returned to form in the women’s Long Sprints as she outdueled Salwa Eid Naser over 400m with Britain’s Amber Anning off the pace, as fellow Olympic champion Masai Russell also bouncing back from Jamaican disappointment in the women’s 100m hurdles.
And Brazil’s Alison dos Santos continued his flawless start to Grand Slam track with another seemingly effortless 400m hurdles victory.
He must wait until Sunday to try and continue that streak, meaning he can see whether another perfect 400m hurdler can win again as Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone gets her Miami heat underway on day two.
She headlines a packed Saturday slate that features Andre De Grasse making his Grand Slam debut in the men’s 100m against a competitive Short Sprints field that also features Kenny Bednarek and Zharnel Hughes, while Thomas takes on her favoured 200m and Hudson-Smith must win around a lap to have any chance of claiming his second successive Slam.
Tonight's victors
These are the eight athletes who pocketed the maximum 12 points on day one of Grand Slam Track, remember that's only half the battle though!
Women’s 100m Hurdles (Short Hurdles) - Masai Russell
Men’s 1500m (Short Distance) - Josh Kerr
Men’s 400m Hurdles (Long Hurdles) - Alison dos Santos
Women’s 5000m (Long Distance) - Agnes Ngetich
Men’s 200m (Long Sprints) - Jereem Richards
Women’s 100m (Short Sprints) - Melissa Jefferson-Wooden
Men’s 3000m (Long Distance) - Andrew Coscoran
Women’s 400m (Long Sprints) - Marileidy Paulino
THAT's a response
Paulino took it personally. The Olympic champion emerged from the final bend neck and neck with Naser on the outside, but had the better final straight with everyone else left in the dust,
Amber Anning had a decent first half but cracked hard at the finish, beating only Ellis who was over three seconds off the pace.
Result: 1. Paulino - 49.21, 2. Naser, 3. Holmes, 4. Whittaker, 5. Pryce, 6. Williams, 7. Anning, 8. Ellis.
Finale to come
The women's 400m will cap tonight's action, including Britain's Amber Anning. Marileidy Paulino will want a big response to a disappointing Kingston showing.
Startlist: Isabella Whittaker (USA), Stacey Ann Williams (Jam - 6th overall in Kingston), Amber Anning (GBR), Nickisha Pryce (Jam - 8th), Alexis Holmes (USA - 4th), Marileidy Paulino (Dom - 3rd), Salwa Eid Naser (Brn - 2nd), Kendall Ellis (USA)
Coscoran snatches last-second victory from Fisher
"Don't even look at the time, it's embarrassing" Steve Cram says in commentary. But Andrew Coscoran won't care!
Fisher was preoccupied with Mills who kicked just too early, whereas the Irishman timed his finish to perfection! He looms on Fisher's left shoulder and as the American finally sneaks a glance, it's too late.
Coscoran breaks the tape ahead of Fisher, Mills and Teare while Atkin predicted faded to finish last and Ronald Kewmoi also had a disappointing final lap.
Result: 1. Andrew Coscoran, 2. Fisher, 3. Mills, 4. Teare, 5. Seare, 6. Kewmoi, 7. Kemobi, 8. Atkin.
Atkin leads them out
Where did that come from? Atkin surges to the front of the pack to start the penultimate lap!
Mills prominent
Kwemoi went off like a train but quickly eased off the throttle. George Mills is happy to sit on his shoulder as the Kenyan continues to lead, it's not been a rapid start - the men are considerably slower than the women's 5000m at the same stage.
More excitement to come
The men's Long Distance provided one of the most exciting races for second-place in this season of athletics as Grant Fisher ultimately took the Slam crown.
But there's two exciting new challengers in the mix today - Andrew Coscoran and George Mills both from the British Isles plus Grimsby's Sam Atkin in the men's 3000m.
Startlist: Grant Fisher (USA - 1st overall in Kingston), Ronald Kwemoi (Ken - 6), Cooper Teare (USA - 3), Andrew Coscoran (Ire), Sam Atkin (GBR), Dawit Seare (Ert), Amon Kemboi (Ken), George Mills (GBR).
Jefferson-Wooden delivers!
And only one other runner could get close. Thomas had a really poor start to immediately count herself out and Jefferson-Wooden led at halfway. She seemed to be cruising but Davis started closing the gap in the final quarter and was beaten by just 0.04 seconds.
Poor Neita and Brown just had to watch the rest of the pack run away from them and finished outside 10 seconds with an illegal tailwind.
Result: 1. Jefferson-Wooden 10.75, 2. Davis, 3. Ofili, 4. Thomas, 5. Sears, 6. Brown, 7. White, 8. Neita.
Star-studded women's 100m up next
Brittany Brown was meant to join us in Kingston but hadn't recovered from injury in time. However that means we get the first look at her showdown with Melissa Jefferson-Wooden next up, with Daryll Neita starting in lane five of the women's 100m.
Meanwhile Gabby Thomas has joined us from the Long Sprints to make this arguably the race of the night.
Startlist: Melissa Jefferson-Wooden (USA - 1st overall in Kingston), Daryll Neita (GBR - 5), Brittany Brown (USA), Gabby Thomas (USA), Jacious Sears (USA - 3), Favour Ofili (Nig), Kayla White (USA), Tamari Davis (USA).
Richards takes the win!
Hudson-Smith can come again tomorrow but finishes seventh here behind the runaway leaders Ogando and Richards. The Trinidadian just pips Ogando at the line, while Samukonga had a much-improved performance here and picks up six valuable points.
Result: 1. Richards - 19.86, 2. Ogando, 3. Samukonga, 4. Gardiner, 5. Zeze, 6. Patterson, 7. Hudson-Smith, 8. Deadmon.
Hudson-Smith in action next
Wolverhampton's finest was beaten by Chris Bailey in his favoured event last time but roared back in the 200m doesn't have to worry about the American here.
Starting lineup: Ryan Zeze (Fra), Matt Hudson-Smith (GBR - 1), Muzala Samukonga (Zam - 7), Steven Gardiner (Bah), Jereem Richards (Tri - 3), Alexander Ogando (Dom), Bryce Deadmon (USA), Jacory Patterson (USA).
Unbreakable Ngetich holds on!
She's done it! Everything seemed set up for Eisa to rob Ngetich on the final lap after the Ethiopian had kept her nose out of the wind all race.
Eisa moved onto Ngetich's shoulder in the final straight and pulled alongside with around 50 metres to go, yet somehow the pacesetter finds another gear and breaks the tape first! What a race, it's the second-fastest 5000m on American soil and couldn't have produced a more worthy winner.
Result: 1. Ngetich - 14:25.80, 2. Eisa, 3. Meshesha, 4. Chepngetich, 5. Mebratu, 6. Gebreselama, 7. Tanaka, 8. Cranny.
Another contender?
Meshesha is staying in contention here! She's about four seconds back but Ngetich does appear to be tiring while Eisa remains perhaps the favourite at this stage.
Ngetich breaks away
The race didn't start too quickly but Ngetich quickly drops the laptimes down into the mid-60s. Eisa is the only one who can stick with the Kenyan initially, but the pack is staying in contention.
Strap in for the longest race of the night...
Agnes Ngetich was perhaps a victim of her succes last time out, will she run a wilier race this time? Slam Champion Ejgayehu Taye isn't here tonight.
Startlist: Nozomi Tanaka (Jap - 8th overall in Kingston), Tsige Gebreselama (Eth - 3), Agnes Ngetich (Ken - 2), Elise Cranny (USA - 6), Janeth Chepngetich (Ken), Medina Eisa (Eth), Hirut Meshesha (Eth), Aynadis Mebratu (Eth).
Back to back to back!
And Mr Perfect continues his run! Caleb Dean made a strong start but couldn't live with the Brazilian.
Result: 1. Dos Santos - 47.97, 2. Robinson, 3. James-King, 4. Bassitt, 5. Dean, 6. Rosser, 7. Vaillant, DNF - Clarke.
Dos Santos the man to beat
The likeable Brazilian scored a maximum in the opening round and leads the field again today - look out for him in lane four inside Roshawn Clarke and Caleb Dean who also impressed.
Starting lineup: Ludvy Vaillant (Fra), Chris Robinson (USA - 4th overall in Kingston), Trevor Bassitt (USA), Alison dos Santos (Bra - 1), Roshawn Clarke (Jam - 2), Caleb Dean (USA - 3), Malik James-King (Jam - 5), Khallifah Rosser (USA).
Kerr takes it!
It's a big celebration for the big Scot, Kerr looked like he almost tripped as he and Peter Bol battle for positioning on the final bend.
Arop's surge faded in the final 200m and Kerr could not be stopped, he outsprinted Nuguse and Hocker with neither American finding a significant kick at the death.
Result: 1. Kerr - 3:34.51, 2. Nuguse, 3. Hocker, 4. Haingura, 5. Bol, 6. Cheruiyot, 7. Arop 8. Tshite.
Kerr moves up
Arop moves onto Kerr's shoulder and the Brit must respond, passing Hocker. One lap to go!
Slower start
Yared Nuguse takes on the pacing as it's a more pedestrian first lap. Kerr looks comfortable in the middle of the pack.
Kerr v Hocker in 1500m
The Olympic gold and silver medallists were upstaged by Emmanuel Wanyonyi in round one so will be desperate to make amends, the Kenyan is absent today but replaced by a high-calibre Challenger class including Kethobogile Haingura.
Startlist: Marco Arop (Can - 2nd overall in Kingston), Cole Hocker (USA - 4), Josh Kerr (GBR - 7), Yared Nuguse (USA - 3), Kethobogile Haingura (Bot), Tshepo Tshite (RSA), Peter Bol (Aus), Timothy Cheruiyot (Ken).
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I’m the best racer in the world – Kerr
Video credit: TNT Sports
What a start!
WOW! It's a scintillating start in Miami, Masai Russell was clearly determined to make amends for her defeat last time and does it in an absolutely rapid time - edging out Tia Jones in a two-horse race.
The rest of the field were also-rans but Ackera Nugent picks up eight valuable points in third.
Result: 1. Russell - 12.17, 2. Jones, 3. Nugent, 4. Harrison, 5. Tapper, 6. Johnson, 7. Caicedo, DNS - Samba-Mayela.
Women's 100m hurdles first up
Tia Jones is a late addition to the starting lineup, the American won this event in Kingston and finished second to Danielle Williams overall, the Jamaican isn't present today though.
Startlist: Tia Jones (2nd in Kingston), Ackera Nugent (Jam - 3), Masai Russell (USA - 6), Kendra Harrison (USA), Maribel Vanessa Caicedo (Ecu), Alaysha Johnson (USA), Megan Traper (Jam)
Sad note to start
Olympic silver medalist Cyrèna Samba-Mayela was one of the star Challengers this round but we won't be seeing her tonight, she's pulled up with a nasty injury ahead of the women's 100m hurdles.
TNT Sports is LIVE!
And you can catch the rest of the build-up live now on TNT Sports 1 and on discovery+! The women's 100m hurdles is up first, before Kerr and co. go in the men's 1500m soon after.
Kingston Slam Champions
Twelve runners each scooped up $100,000 as the inaugural Slam champions in Kingston, while Kenny Bednarek, Alison dos Santos, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Ejgayehu Taye scored the maximum points by winning both of their races.
Remember, there is also the competition to finish as the Racer of the Year by scoring the highest points across all the men’s and women’s race groups.
Men's Short Sprints - Kenny Bednarek (24 points)
Men’s Long Sprints - Matt Hudson-Smith (20)
Men’s Short Hurdles - Sasha Zhoya (20)
Men’s Long Hurdles - Alison dos Santos (24)
Men’s Short Distance - Emmanuel Wanyonyi (20)
Men’s Long Distance - Grant Fisher (18)
Women's Short Sprints - Melissa Jefferson-Wooden (24)
Women’s Long Sprints - Gabby Thomas (20)
Women’s Short Hurdles - Danielle Williams (20)
Women’s Long Hurdles - Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (24)
Women’s Short Distance - Diribe Welteji (20)
Women’s Long Distance - Ejgayehu Taye (24)
In the zone
Which stars can you spot arriving earlier?
One to watch
Josh Kerr was eviscerated in the men’s Short Distance in the opening Slam so he’ll surely be chomping at the bit to put things right, while both Kerr and Paris 2024 1500m gold medallist Cole Hocker were upstaged by Emmanuel Wanyonyi in one of the biggest stories from Kingston.
The Kenyan isn't here this weekend so it's a fresh start for the star-studded field, how will they respond? Well you don't have to wait long to find out, it's just over half an hour until the men's 1500m.
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'They played into his hands!' - Wanyonyi stuns Kerr to win 1500m
Video credit: TNT Sports
Tonight's offering
Here's the menu for tonight with eight races coming up, and the interesting dynamic of some race groups having changed significantly from Kingston and others offering rematches across the field.
22:42 Women’s 100m Hurdles (Short Hurdles)
22:51 Men’s 1500m (Short Distance)
23:06 Men’s 400m Hurdles (Long Hurdles)
23:16 Women’s 5000m (Long Distance)
23:40 Men’s 200m (Long Sprints)
23:52 Women’s 100m (Short Sprints)
00:01 Men’s 3000m (Long Distance)
00:21 Women’s 400m (Long Sprints)
All UK time.
Hello and welcome!
Grand Slam Track returns tonight with eight high-octane races live from Miami, after that explosive opener in Kingston.
Josh Kerr is part of the British contingent in action tonight, he’ll be smarting from his double defeats in Jamaica and is joined by sprinter Daryll Neita, Sam Atkin in the 3000m and Matt Hudson-Smith, who won the Long Sprints last time out.
Meanwhile the returning stars of round one include Kenny Bednarek, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Gabby Thomas, with Andre De Grasse the headline addition this weekend as a Challenger.
So you certainly don’t want to miss a second of the action, the first race is underway in less than an hour while TNT Sports 3 and discovery+ are live from the Ansin Sports Complex at 22:30 UK time.
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.
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 & 5,000m
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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