New York was the place to be this past weekend as it pertained to the sport of track and field. Eager fans gathered at Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island Park in NYC for the New York Grand Prix to see some of the best talent in the sport compete, and they weren’t disappointed with the results.
Athletes such as Zharnell Hughes sprinted his way into the history books with his record-breaking performance in the men’s 100m with his time of 9.83. It was not only a personal best of Hughes, but it broke the British record in the event. Hughes defeated the likes of Christian Coleman, as well as Akeem Blake. Hughes’ time on Saturday also is the fastest time in the world this year in the 100m.
Speaking of history, Noah Lyles sprinted his way into history with his impressive win in the men’s 200m. His time of 19.83 in the event not only gave him the win, but he also tied Usain Bolt’s record for most sub-20 performances in the men’s 200m, which both athletes have done 34 times. Lyles has the world lead in the event so far this season with his time of 19.67, which he ran earlier in June in Jamaica.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone raced in the open 400m at the New York Grand Prix and delivered another amazing performance. She ran a new lifetime and season’s best time of 49.5, taking the win over the field that included Gabby Thomas, who finished second behind McLaughlin-Levrone.
“The flat is definitely harder in my opinion,” McLaughlin-Levrone said in an interview after the race. “It’s hard to kind of figure out your cadence midrace. At least with hurdles I kind of know where I’m at. It’s a different kind of pain but a challenging good one.”
McLaughlin-Levrone’s training partner, Athing Mu, opened up her season with a dominant win in the women’s 800m, running 1:58.73 in the event. The reigning 800m Olympic and world champion had a negative split in the last 400m of the race, separating herself from the field to take the win. She’s set to run the 1500m at the USATF Outdoor Championships next week in Oregon.
For more on the New York Grand Prix, check out the latest episode of Track Talk for a comprehensive breakdown of the action on the track and in the field.
