Latest news with #PhiladelphiaSlam
Daily Mirror
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Josh Kerr lands huge payday as Team GB athletes bank £225,000
Several Team GB athletes earned a hugely impressive payday at the Philadelphia Slam as part of the Grand Slam Track season at the weekend, including Matthew Hudson-Smith and Josh Kerr Several Team GB stars pocketed hefty pay cheques at the Philadelphia Slam, which is part of the Grand Slam Track tournament masterminded by sprinting legend Michael Johnson. The competition format pits top track athletes against each other in two disciplines over a weekend, such as 100m and 200m sprints, across one of 12 combined race categories. The inaugural slam kicked off in Kingston, Jamaica, in April before moving to Miami last month. However, it was Philadelphia that proved the most profitable for British athletes. Despite not competing under the Team GB banner, Josh Kerr got his own back on Cole Hocker for his Paris Games defeat, pipping the American to the post by 0.07 seconds in the men's 1500m race. The 27-year-old relished his victory and bagged a cool $50K (£37k) for coming second overall in the short distance category, following his fifth-place finish in the 800m event. Fellow Brit Elliot Giles pocketed $10k (£7.4k) for his efforts in the same group. But the standout Team GB athlete in Philadelphia was Matthew Hudson-Smith, who topped the men's long sprints group for the second time in three Grand Slam Track events. The 400m Olympic silver medallist triumphed in his specialist discipline and came fifth in the 200m to take home the $100k (£74k) grand prize. Zharnell Hughes bagged a cool $50k (£37k) runner-up prize in the short sprints category. The 29-year-old sprinter secured third place in the men's 100m and narrowly missed out on first place in the 200m, losing to American speedster Kenny Bednarek. Georgia Hunter Bell had a lucrative day among the British women at the Philadelphia meet. The Olympic bronze medallist nabbed second place in the women's 800m and fourth in the 1500m, securing an impressive $30k (£22.1k) payday for her efforts. Dina Asher-Smith wasn't far behind, taking home slightly less than Bell from the women's short sprints group. Her fifth-place finish in the 100m and fourth in the 200m saw her walk away with a tidy $25k (£18.4k). Twin athletes Laviai and Lina Nielsen also had a profitable weekend, earning a combined $40k (£29.5k). Lina Nielsen triumphed in the 400m race and placed sixth in the 400m hurdles, netting herself $30k (£22.1k). Meanwhile, sister Laviai competed in the 200m and 400m sprints, earning $10k (£7.4k) after finishing eighth in her category. Despite only Hudson-Smith clinching an overall victory, it was a marked improvement on what British athletes had previously earned from the last two Grand Slam Track events. The total earnings for the Brits from the Philadelphia Slam amounted to a whopping $305k (£225k). This was a significant increase from their previous record of $222.5k (£164k) in Kingston. The inaugural event in April saw British athletes shine, with Hudson-Smith clinching his first long sprints victory and Hughes once again securing second place in the short sprints. The Team GB athletes earned slightly less during last month's event in Miami, taking home $212.5k (£156k). However, a huge chunk of that prize pot included Kerr's $100k (£74k) winnings. The Grand Slam Track season will conclude at the Drake Stadium in Los Angeles, with the event being held from June 27 to 29. At the end of the final meet, one male and one female athlete will be crowned the Racer of the Year based on their cumulative points totals.
Wales Online
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Team GB athletes scoop mammoth £225,000 as Josh Kerr lands huge payday
Team GB athletes scoop mammoth £225,000 as Josh Kerr lands huge payday Several Team GB athletes earned impressive paydays at the Philadelphia Slam as part of the Grand Slam Track season at the weekend, including Matthew Hudson-Smith and Josh Kerr Josh Kerr earned an impressive payday at the Grand Slam Track event in Philadelphia (Image: Michael Pimentel/) Several Team GB athletes earned huge paydays at the Philadelphia Slam as part of the Grand Slam Track tournament devised by legendary sprinter Michael Johnson. The format sees top track stars compete in two disciplines across a weekend, such as 100m and 200m sprints, in one of 12 combined race categories. Part of a four-date schedule, the inaugural slam occurred in Kingston, Jamaica, in April before heading to Miami last month. However, Philadelphia proved the most lucrative yet for the British contingent. Although none of the athletes were competing under Team GB, Josh Kerr avenged his Paris Games defeat to Cole Hocker, finishing ahead of the American by 0.07 seconds in the men's 1500m race. The 27-year-old savoured victory and earned a cool £37k ($50K) for coming second overall in the short distance category, following his fifth-place finish in the 800m event. Fellow Brit Elliot Giles received £7.4k ($10k) for his efforts in the same group. The standout Team GB athlete in Philadelphia was Matthew Hudson-Smith, who topped the men's long sprints group for the second time in three Grand Slam Track events. The 400m Olympic silver medalist triumphed in his specialist discipline and came fifth in the 200m to take home the £74k ($100k) grand prize. Zharnell Hughes clinched the £37k ($50k) runner-up spot in the short sprints category. The 29-year-old came third in the men's 100m race and narrowly clinched second in the 200m, but was beaten to top spot by the USA's Kenny Bednarek, who won both events. Matthew Hudson-Smith celebrated winning the long sprints group in Philadelphia (Image:) Article continues below Georgia Hunter Bell received one of the best paydays among the British women competing in Philadelphia. The Olympic bronze medalist came second in the women's 800m and fourth in the 1500m event, but sealed third overall in the women's short distance category to earn an impressive £22.1k ($30k). The 31-year-old received only slightly more than Dina Asher-Smith's payday in the women's short sprints group. Fifth place in the 100m and fourth in the 200m saw Asher-Smith finish the weekend fourth on the leaderboard, gaining £18.4k ($25k). Twin sisters Laviai and Lina Nielsen also earned a combined £29.5k ($40k). Lina Nielsen won the 400m race and came sixth in the 400m hurdles, ending the weekend in third spot and receiving £22.1k ($30k). Meanwhile, Laviai Nielsen competed in the 200m and 400m sprints and earned £7.4k ($10k) after coming eighth in her category. Despite only Hudson-Smith claiming an overall victory, it was a significant improvement on what British athletes had earned from the previous two Grand Slam Track events. The British athletes' combined earnings from the Philadelphia Slam were £225k ($305k). Lina Nielsen (R) won the 400m event in Philadelphia (Image:) This was considerably higher than their previous highest tally of £164k ($222.5k) in Kingston. The British highlights from the inaugural event in April included Hudson-Smith's first long sprints victory and Hughes again taking second place in the short sprints. Article continues below The Team GB athletes earned slightly less during last month's event in Miami, taking home £156k ($212.5k). However, a huge chunk of that prize pot included Kerr's £74k ($100k) winnings. The Grand Slam Track season will conclude at the Drake Stadium in Los Angeles, with the event being held from June 27 to 29. At the end of the final meet, one male and one female athlete will be crowned the Racer of the Year based on their cumulative points totals.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Rekortan an Official Track Partner for 2025 Grand Slam Track Philadelphia Slam
Rekortan® will support the May 31-June 1 Slam at Franklin Field PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA / / May 20, 2025 / Rekortan®, a leader in track and field surface technology, is proud to partner with Grand Slam Track™, the global home of professional track competition launched by four-time Olympic Champion Michael Johnson. As an Official Track Partner for the inaugural 2025 season, Rekortan® will be onsite to support the Philadelphia Slam being held on May 31-June 1 at the University of Pennsylvania's Franklin Field. Athletes will compete on a Rekortan track that features renewable and recycled materials. "We are delighted to partner with Grand Slam Track™ for the Philadelphia Slam and be part of a new era in professional track," said Tim Jordan, Vice President, Rekortan® USA. "We're dedicated fans of track and committed to supporting athletes and coaches around the world by providing the best tracks to showcase their talent. With the most certified tracks, our brand is trusted by athletes worldwide. Working in partnership with Grand Slam Track™ gives us a unique opportunity to help the sport grow." Grand Slam Track™ remains committed to creating a premier, athlete-centric league by partnering with the best in the industry. Rekortan® tracks are designed for peak performance and durability and known for their balance of force reduction and energy return that delivers speed and athlete welfare. With over 50 years of experience and the most Olympic records, Rekortan® continues to lead the industry in high-performance tracks. Their top-quality track surfaces ensure safety, comfort, and optimal speed. Rekortan® is paving the way for the future of track and field with their commitment to sustainability through biobased content in their track products, which recently earned USDA Certified Biobased Product labels. "We are thrilled to welcome Rekortan® as our Official Track Partner," said Michael Johnson, Founder and Commissioner of Grand Slam Track™. "Rekortan®'s history of providing top-quality, best-in-class tracks aligns perfectly with our vision for creating an extraordinary experience for our competing athletes." Grand Slam Track™ will feature the world's fastest track Racers, such as Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Gabby Thomas, Masai Russell, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, Josh Kerr, Cole Hocker, Yared Nuguse, Kenny Bednarek, and many others, competing for the biggest pool of prize money ever offered in the sport. The Philadelphia Slam will stream live on Peacock in the U.S., with The CW broadcasting linear coverage on Saturday, May 31, and Sunday, June 1. Tickets for the Philadelphia Slam are on sale now. Visit to buy tickets and learn more about the Grand Slam Track™ season. Learn more about Rekortan® and its track products at About Rekortan®With the most Olympic records, Rekortan® has delivered quality, consistency, and record-breaking speed to global events, major championships, colleges, and schools since its debut in 1969. Rekortan®'s quality is delivered through a fully integrated global supply chain, including ISO-certified manufacturing in the USA, Germany, and Australia, and installation crews around the world. Rekortan® tracks feature renewable and recycled materials and are USDA-certified. Rekortan® is available in North America through AstroTurf® Corporation and globally through Polytan® in EMEA and Asia Pacific. Rekortan® is the Official Track Sponsor for the 2025 Grand Slam Track™ season and has been the official track of the Penn Relays since 1988. The AstroTurf® Corporation portfolio includes AstroTurf® fields, the trusted name in synthetic turf; Rekortan® tracks, the benchmark for elite running surfaces; Laykold® courts, the premier choice for tennis and multi-sport court play; and SYNLawn®, the industry leader in residential and commercial landscaping solutions. These products are the original brands in their respective categories and set the standard for quality and innovation in sports and recreational surfacing. For more information visit & About Grand Slam TrackGrand Slam Track™ is the global home of elite track competition founded by four-time Olympic champion Michael Johnson. The league is redefining the landscape of track with a focus on head-to-head competition between the fastest humans on the planet: fostering rivalries, celebrating racing, and putting fans first. The league features a roster of 48 Racers signed to compete in four annual Slams and includes superstars like Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Gabby Thomas, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, Kenny Bednarek, Grant Fisher, Josh Kerr, Marileidy Paulino, and many more. These Racers compete against 48 Challengers, who vary per Slam; each Slam features the largest and deepest prize purse in the history of the sport. The inaugural Grand Slam Track™ season in 2025 sees Slams take place in Kingston, Jamaica; Miami; Philadelphia; and Los Angeles. For more information, visit Contact Information Mackenzie Smith mackenzie@ SOURCE: Rekortan View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Grand Slam Track changes schedule for Philadelphia event
Changes are coming to the Grand Slam Track event in Philadelphia. Founder and commissioner Michael Johnson announced on Thursday that the original three-day schedule for the professional track league event will be condensed to two days of competition. The Philadelphia Slam will now begin on Saturday, May 31 and wrap up on Sunday, June 1 at Franklin Field. "Coming off an amazing sold-out Miami Slam, we've taken time to celebrate the successes we've achieved in our inaugural season, but also have looked for ways to improve Grand Slam Track in real time," Johnson said in a release. "We've said all along we want to listen to our fans, athletes, and coaches, and having heard feedback from various key stakeholders, we've made the decision to condense our schedule in Philadelphia into two, high-octane, and intense days of combat racing. We want to be the most flexible, adaptive, and fan-first league in sports, and we believe making these changes will improve the Grand Slam Track experience for all." The move to a two-day event results in a significant change to the long distance category. The three-day competition window had allowed for a day of rest for the athletes between their 3,000-metre and 5,000m events, but now they will compete in a single 3,000m race in Philadelphia. That change also comes with an altered prize pool for long distance athletes, with winners taking home $50,000 US instead of the $100,000 previously up for grabs. WATCH | Track's new pro league, the Grand Slam of Track, explained: The final stop of the Grand Slam Track season is in Los Angeles from June 27-29. All Grand Slam Track events will be streamed live on and on CBC Gem. For a full broadcast schedule of athletics events this season, .
CBC
16-05-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Grand Slam Track changes schedule for Philadelphia event
Changes are coming to the Grand Slam Track event in Philadelphia. Founder and commissioner Michael Johnson announced on Thursday that the original three-day schedule for the professional track league event will be condensed to two days of competition. The Philadelphia Slam will now begin on Saturday, May 31 and wrap up on Sunday, June 1 at Franklin Field. "Coming off an amazing sold-out Miami Slam, we've taken time to celebrate the successes we've achieved in our inaugural season, but also have looked for ways to improve Grand Slam Track in real time," Johnson said in a release. "We've said all along we want to listen to our fans, athletes, and coaches, and having heard feedback from various key stakeholders, we've made the decision to condense our schedule in Philadelphia into two, high-octane, and intense days of combat racing. We want to be the most flexible, adaptive, and fan-first league in sports, and we believe making these changes will improve the Grand Slam Track experience for all." The move to a two-day event results in a significant change to the long distance category. The three-day competition window had allowed for a day of rest for the athletes between their 3,000-metre and 5,000m events, but now they will compete in a single 3,000m race in Philadelphia. That change also comes with an altered prize pool for long distance athletes, with winners taking home $50,000 US instead of the $100,000 previously up for grabs. The final stop of the Grand Slam Track season is in Los Angeles from June 27-29. All Grand Slam Track events will be streamed live on and on CBC Gem. For a full broadcast schedule of athletics events this season, click here.
