Records fall and rivalries reignite on Rekortan at the Philadelphia Slam

16 Venue Records, 2 World Leads and the Short Sprint Slams that stole the show

Franklin Field has seen some astounding track action over its 130-year history but 2025 is the year that every single historic venue record fell in a single weekend. From the crumbling of Franklin Field’s 400m and 400m hurdles records that have stood since 1976 to the women’s 45-year-old 1,500m venue record, a new chapter began for track in every Grand Slam Track showdown in Philly. The results and the rivalries are testament to the caliber of the athletes and a league that puts them front and center in the era of super shoes and fast tracks.

Amongst an extraordinary weekend of racing, the Short Sprints stole the show with Melissa Jefferson-Wooden and Kenny Bednarek both setting World Lead times over 100m with lightning-fast marks and becoming the only athletes to win all three Slams. The Racers continued to reign supreme, clinching nine Slams, but the weekend was not without its surprises including Slam victories from three Challengers and a Slam winner who didn’t win a race.

As the track that witnessed all the action closeup, we bring you the best of the best.

The Short SprintS - Two of the fastest times ever

With a Rekortan track beneath his feet, Kenny Bednarek ran a PB and WL time of 9.86 over the 100m which equals legend, Carl Lewis’ PB (a then WR). Combined with his 200m win in which he was over 0.5 seconds faster than closest rival, Zharnel Hughes, Bednarek took his third Slam in a row and remains unbeaten over all six races of the 2025 Grand Slam Track season.

Melissa Jefferson-Wooden became the 10th fastest woman ever over 100m and the fifth fastest American of all time over this distance with her 10.73 mark which will be very hard to beat this year. Her rivalry with Gabby Thomas in the 200m hit new heights as she beat Gabby at her signature event with a sub-22 finish.

Surprise in the Short Hurdles

Challenger, Jamal Britt, upset the party between favorites Cordell Tinch (WL holder), and Miami Slam winner, Trey Cunningham when he took the win in the Men’s 100m hurdles and the Slam (following a second-place finish in the 100m.)

Jamaica’s Ackera Nugent, fresh from her Miami Slam success, won both Women’s Short Hurdles races and the Slam and stakes her claim: is she the fastest female hurdler in the World? But Long Hurdles G.O.A.T, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, stepping out of her specialism and into new territory, clinched second in the 100m and the Slam against some of the best short hurdlers in the world. Another phenomenal achievement in Philadelphia.

“Kenny Bednarek ran a PB and WL time of 9.86 over the 100m which equals legend, Carl Lewis’ PB (a then WR).”

New narratives emerge in the Long Hurdles

The Women’s event was proof that in Grand Slam Track, consistency is key. With Sydney out of the running for this Slam, Challenger and Paris Olympic Silver medalist, Anna Cockerill, was the clear favorite for the 400m hurdles and she didn’t disappoint, with Jasmine Jones taking second. Lina Nielsen took the 400m flat race the following day but with another solid second, Jones took the Slam and became the first Slam winner to take the title without winning a race.

The seemingly unstoppable Brazilian, Alison dos Santos took his fifth Grand Slam Track race in a row over the men’s 400m hurdles, but in a shock second day, only managed third on the flat. In a great result for the USA, Trevor Bassit took the 400m and the Slam (with a second-place finish in the 400m hurdles).

Long-standing rivalries play out over the Short Distance Slam

Canada’s Marco Arop scored his third consecutive Grand Slam Track win in the 800m with an impressive negative split win in the 800m and his fourth place and a PB in the 1,500m made him a deserving Slam winner. The 1,500m excitement continued with famous rivals, Josh Kerr edging Cole Hocker for the win to finish second in the Slam.

Diribe Welteji maintained her dominance in the Women’s Short Distance Slam with wins in both races, but Jessica Hull gave her a great run for her money in the 1,500m, pushing the pace from early in the race and forcing an epic duel in which the 45-year-strong Franklin Field record by Mary Slaney (4:00.87) also fell. The 800m saw a great head-to-head between Welteji, Georgia Hunter-Bell and Jessica Hull again who finished one, two, three respectively with Welteji’s 1:58 mark also beating Sage Hurta’s historic venue record.

“Diribe Welteji maintained her dominance in the Women’s Short Distance Slam with wins in both races, but Jessica Hull gave her a great run for her money in the 1,500m, pushing the pace from early in the race and forcing an epic duel in which the 45-year-strong Franklin Field record by Mary Slaney (4:00.87) also fell.”

A classic African battle and an up-and-coming American Challenger leave their mark on the Long Distance Slam

The Women’s Long Distance became a classic battle between Kenya and Ethiopia at the final stretch. The Miami and Kingston Slam winners Agnes Ngetich and Ejgayehu Taye battled side-by-side over home straight with the 10km WR holder, Ngetich, taking the win and proving to be a formidable force on the track too. All eight athletes in this race beat the 3,000m venue record.

In the men’s race, Challenger, Nico Young, took the win with an impressive final kick. The young American long-distance talent ran the final 200m in an impressive 25.62 and is one to watch.

Dominican Republic dominance in the Long Sprint Slam – and a win for GB

Another great duel between Paulino and Naser played out again over the 400m with Paulino prevailing once again and Naser disqualified for running the last 10 seconds in the wrong lane. The Dominican Republic Racer continued her winning streak over the 200m solidifying her dominance and securing the Slam.

Matthew Hudson-Smith and Jareem Richards entered Philly with a Slam each. Hudson-Smith took his signature 400m event and the venue record but with Jereem in third, the Slam was still up for the taking on day two. The Dominican Republic showed its power again in the 200m with Challenger, Alexander Ogando, winning the race. Fifth place in the 200m was just enough for GB’s Hudson-Smith to take the Slam.

The Philly Slam, run on Rekortan, rewrote the record books. Next stop, LA…

Learn more about Rekortan’s partnership with Grand Slam Track here.

EventsMatt Herivel5 June 2025Trusted & Chosen, Grand Slam Track