The Track Minute Daily Report is available Monday through Friday with the top news and stories from the world of track and field. Listen to the Track Minute Daily Report on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and subscribe to the newsletter at https://trackminute.beehiiv.com/
Top pole vault and shot put athletes to go direct-to-finals at USATF Championships
USATF will implement a pilot program at the 2025 Outdoor Championships, granting first-round byes to select athletes in the men’s and women’s shot put and pole vault events. The byes will be awarded to the 2025 USATF indoor champion, the top American at a designated meet during the 2025 regular season, and the two athletes with the best performances prior to the championships. Initially, the governing body considered extending this system to the steeplechase but abandoned the plan after receiving negative feedback from athletes and coaches.
Grant Fisher to take on 5000m world record at BU Valentine Meet
Following his world record performance in the 3000m at this past weekend’s Millrose Games, Grant Fisher has reportedly asked BU Valentine Invitational organizers to pace the 5000m at 12:42 pace. The current record of 12:49.60 for the indoor 5k was set in 2004 by legend Kenenisa Bekele. The attempt is scheduled to take place this Friday evening.
Hayley Kitching signs NIL deal with Brooks
Penn State junior Hayley Kitching, who competes internationally for Australia, has signed a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal with Brooks Running. Since joining Penn State, Kitching has earned multiple first-team All-American and Big Ten honors, set seven school records, and recently clocked the third-fastest 1000-meter time in NCAA history. This signing comes a week after the brand announced its first ever signing of prep athletes to such a deal.
Shelby Houlihan’s return to the track
Following her four-year ban, Shelby Houlihan returned to competition on February 1 and has put up big numbers the past two weekends. Opening her season at the Arkansas Invite, she ran the 3000m and set a new facility record (which previously belonged to Parker Valby) of 8:31.56. The following weekend, when many of her compatriots were contesting the Wanamaker Mile at Millrose, Houlihan ran the second fastest mile all-time by an American woman with a time of 4:20.30 at the BU Scarlet & White Invite. We will likely first see her in head-to-head competition with a startlist full of elite competition at the USATF Indoor Championships in March.
New long jump rules receive first test
The new long jump rules set forth by World Atheltics went into their first test at the ISTAF meeting in Düsseldorf this past weekend. As a reminder, the new practice is to provide athletes with a take-off zone over the traditional board. At the meeting, Olympic Champion Malaika Mihambo won the day with a jump of 6.87m, and after the competition said, “It is an exciting change. There are details that need to be refined, but overall I think it’s a great idea.”
Get the Track Minute Daily Report straight to your inbox. Subscribe at https://trackminute.beehiiv.com/
