r/trackandfield • u/Koleslaw756 poopy pants • 19h ago
General Discussion Grand Slam Track Kingston Day 2: Discussion
Figured I’d post another one of these for today’s race! Which race are y’all most excited for today?
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u/iAmFlamableMC Sprints, Coach 18h ago
Pretty fun 1500! The dedicated 1500 runners let Wanyoni hang on to a slow pace and out kick all of them
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u/Beneficial_Ad_7650 14h ago
I think if Wanyoni decided to focus on the 1500 he would have just as good of a chance for a gold medal/diamond league wins/world lead marks as Jakob/Kerr/Nuguse/Hocker. He is young and utilizing his fast twitch while it's there. He should be the favorite for LA28 in the 15. Wanyoni trains with the Adidas Kenyan marathon group that Claudio Berardelli leads. Berardelli sprinkles in 800/1500 sessions for the summer, otherwise he is aerobically focused 3/4 the year.
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u/Toprelemons 16h ago
curious what happened to Marco.
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u/Disastrous_Bowls 16h ago
This was just shy of his PB, he’s an 800 runner. I think he did as well as expected.
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u/meselson-stahl 15h ago
Why were there so many 800m in the 1500?
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u/LuigiDoPandeiro 15h ago
The Grand Slam combines two events into a single competition. For middle distance that is the 800m and 1500m, so you'll have these guys running both events and then a combined leaderboard decides who takes home the prize.
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u/Koleslaw756 poopy pants 18h ago
Man the 1500m podium got cooked! Funny enough Jakob always makes these races fast, (there hasn’t been a single 1500m race under 3:30 since 2020 without Jakob in it). The interesting thing is when he does that the 1500 podium has enough strength to catch him so he leaves himself open, this is his best way to win but it requires great strength.
These guys need to realize that they’re Jakob in this situation for them and need to make these faster otherwise this is gonna happen again and again. Wanyonyi is no joke here.
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u/yuckmouthteeth 17h ago
While this is true, Yared has lead a number of 3:30-32 races just fine solo. Hocker has solo lead 3:33-34 rounds without using his kick. So these guys easily could have made it a faster race without a pacer or Jakob and have done so before.
They just chose not to, which was a mistake. It's possible Cole/Kerr weren't sharp enough but Yared is the type of runner who races well/fast all year it seems, he was likely plenty fit enough to solo a 3:30-31 today. I assume he didn't think Wanyoni could hang. He was wrong. I expect tactics to change in May.
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u/Koleslaw756 poopy pants 17h ago
Agree with your points on Yared and Cole, although I think realistically Yared was the only one who would’ve lead today, really surprised he didn’t tbh. But also being able to solo close to 3:30 and consistently soloing sub 3:30 is a different kind of comfortability I feel like.
The thing with Cole is, he should have been plenty fit for this race especially with how great his indoor was I think he just made bad tactical decisions and let the field get ahead of him in the middle of the last lap then thought he could catch them all in the final 150, found that so strange.
Kerr was definitely just a fitness issue, based on his videos he hasn’t had the best camp this far with sickness and a “nag” in the hip but I felt he positioned himself well.
I feel like they should’ve known with Wanyonyi’s background, but then again it’s easy to be overconfident. Definitely curious to see how it will go in May although Wanyonyi isn’t a guarantee just yet
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u/yuckmouthteeth 16h ago
I hope if he comes home with 100k this time, which is basically guaranteed, that he will show up again. Because without him its a lot less interesting.
Respectfully the other 800 guys are really specialists and don't have the range to mix it up. I definitely think the 1500 guys were overconfident with finishing speed this time around for sure. I pray the mens 3k is more interesting than the 5k, I like Grant and tactics but 14:39 is really pushing the term "tactical".
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u/Koleslaw756 poopy pants 16h ago
Agreed!
And yeah haha although I did think the 5K was fun, it was nice seeing Coop have such a great finish. I feel like he hasnt had the success he is capable of and hoping this race will give him some much needed confidence going forward.
But yeah the East Africans need to change tactics tomorrow otherwise I could see a repeat of Friday
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u/No-Shoe5382 18h ago
Wow that's so impressive from Wanyonyi.
I mean its a slow early season race where the likes of Kerr and Hocker didn't go out anywhere near as hard as they can later in the season, but this lad Wanyonyi looks like he can move up to the 1500 and give them trouble.
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u/lilflacito 19h ago
Hoping to see a close Hocker vs Nuguse finish
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u/AccomplishedAd3484 19h ago
Isn't Kerr racing too? I wouldn't count Wanyoyi out, particularly if its a tactical race. Hocker has a great kick, but I doubt the 1500m guys out kick the 800m guys if the race goes as slow as the 5000m did.
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u/devon835 54.8 400 / 1:58 800 / 4:21 Mile / 8:50 3000m / 15:27 5000m 13h ago
Good call! I knew Wanyonyi was going to be dangerous.
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u/No-Shoe5382 18h ago
Kenny Bednarek is going to run some seriously quick times this season.
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u/annyeonghaseye 17h ago
He’s really going for his first World gold!
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u/NeedleworkerOk649 14h ago
Just can't see him beating both lyles and Tobogo
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u/annyeonghaseye 14h ago
He can beat Lyles though (he placed higher than Lyles at the Tokyo and Paris Olympics)
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u/Cgi94 17h ago edited 17h ago
Women 400m
1st- Naser 48.67
2nd- Gabby 49.14
3rd- Paulino 49.35
Gabby won 100k for women Long sprints
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u/classicman123 17h ago
Gabby ran such a smart race. Her strength is her finish, even in the 200. She ran a tempered first 300 and saved that kick for the end. Congrats!
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u/Spiritual_Cress9399 7h ago
I had something going on last evening and had to check in here for the results. So excited for Gabby! She's really pretty amazing on all fronts. Gorgeous, intelligent, friendly, sweet, humble. I almost wish she'd grow a wart or something LOL
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u/No-Shoe5382 18h ago
I fucking love this format you know, there will obviously be some teething problems but this feels like a Premier League of track and field.
The Diamond League never had this feel to it.
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u/No-Shoe5382 19h ago
Mens 400m looking like a fascinating event again this year.
Matt Hudson Smith wins the 200, 2nd in the 400. He had one of the best 400 seasons in history last year in terms of times and performances, went under 44 seconds 4 times. I feel he can go even quicker this year, but this might be his last really fast year as he's 30 years old.
Hope for his sake he gets the world championship gold in Septmeber because he's WAY too quick to finish his career without ever winning a gold medal at a worlds/olympics. A 43.44 man without a major gold just feels wrong.
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u/4thwave4father 17h ago
Today felt more ironed out than yesterday. I enjoyed watching it. I still think it could be better, this honestly just felt like watching another track meet (which I love, and is my thing), but for all the hype, I thought it would be more like watching an NFL production. It could be faster paced in terms of broadcasting. I think this was a good start though and I'm really looking forward to the future meets
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u/No-Shoe5382 19h ago
OK I thought the stadium was so empty yesterday because they started it too early on a weekday, but its nearly 6pm on Saturday and there's still absolutely nobody there.
What kind of local marketing were they doing? How do you have a track event in Kingston with the best athletes in the entire world and nobody shows up? Do they even know its happening?
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u/bluemlittlem 19h ago edited 12h ago
The seats actually look quite full on the front stretch.
Which makes sense, why would you want to watch on the back stretch when you're mostly there for sprints?
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u/JockCartier 18h ago
It's badly marketed.
They're even giving away free entry, but doesn't help if no one knows.
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u/Affectionate-Art9780 19h ago
I know Track is very pop in JA, but has there been a world class event there before? Is the popularity more for the traditional meets with local talent that's been hyped up?
Especially for races that Jamaicans aren't competitive in, maybe the interest in international stars just isn't there
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u/No-Shoe5382 19h ago
I would've thought they'd show up to watch the likes of Ackeem Blake, Oblique Seville, Omar McLeod, Nickisha Price etc.
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u/naijaboiler 5h ago
they could have scheduled it like boxing or concerts where there's a headline event, but lots of minor fights/musicians earlier.
Grandlsam is the main events, but you're also scheduling local meets earlier in the evening. you build up some local interest but still maintain the main one.
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u/iAmFlamableMC Sprints, Coach 17h ago
Naser just ran out of her mind WOW. Gabby with a great 400 as well
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u/SisiMist17 Sprints & Middle Distance 17h ago
I mean for this to be a genuine question, so hopefully no offense is taken, but isn't Naser the one who got caught doping?
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u/illmatic07 17h ago
She wasn’t necessarily caught, it was a wareabouts suspension same as Christian Coleman
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u/Top_Currency_6204 11h ago
Had a 4 year suspension after missing 4 tests in one year.
Can read the decision. Her excuses were pathetic and made her look very sketchy
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u/iAmFlamableMC Sprints, Coach 17h ago
I didn’t know that, so yeah I guess I’m less impressed. Still, she was flying the first 200
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u/chilidogs_R_the_best 17h ago
So proud of my boy Kung Fu Kenny. Slam winner for the short! I hope Grand Slam Track picks up viewership and becomes more mainstream so all of these great athletes can get paid what they are worth and get more recognition as true athletes all year round like all the other major sports.
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u/pmben 19h ago
Not to be a hater but damn I was expecting much better production value from this. If I was not a huge track fan there’s no way I’d watch this
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u/JockCartier 18h ago
Yeah, the pace is a big issue. Would be even worse for live crowd. They need to either consense this schedule or get some field events to fill in the gaps
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u/affabalance 19h ago
peacock is pretty good
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u/pmben 19h ago
I’m on peacock and they’ve just been showing houses on the hill for the last 2 mins…
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u/affabalance 18h ago
Yeah the breaks in audio are strange, but better than listening to another commercial imo
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u/Wogger1776 10h ago
After the second day of Grand Slam Track I can really say that I freaking love this format in the sport. Seeing these athletes compete in events that they aren't really specialist in is super entertaining and because of the massive prize winnings the athletes fight right to the end just like in a world final. I've seen some discussion about some dead time between the events which hopefully they could figure something out to solve that. But all in all this concept is really making me exited for the coming slams and the season! Also super impressed by Gabby Thomas running 49 low and Eid Nasser in the mid 48s in April.
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u/geoffh2016 5k - 15:21 | 10k 32:00 | Marathon 2:33 19h ago
Should be some interesting events. The women's 100m hurdles is always tough. I'm going to put Paulino over Thomas in the 400m, Kenny B finishing strong in the 200m.. Should be fun to see how the 400m guys do over 200m. (I'll guess Chris Bailey wins that one too.)
But the men's 1500m will be the highlight for me. I think they have a bunch of guys who really like to race and mix it up.
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u/Cgi94 18h ago
I can see Jenna winning that 100k especially with a 200m . Man I'm starting to like the format now for GST💯
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u/Disastrous_Bowls 17h ago
Crazy to be called up to run last minute and get 2nd as a 200m runner. I agree she has a real chance.
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u/annyeonghaseye 15h ago
Right?! She got called up 3-5 days before and she placed second! She’s also a great 200m runner and relay expert too!
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u/AwsiDooger 15h ago
Grand Slam Track needed that Wanyonyi result. That is a seismic shift in terms of how those athletes and 800/1500 are viewed in relation to each other. The hand waving down the stretch eclipses all the yacking between Jakob and Kerr.
That is instantly a famous race. I knew LetsRun would be overrun with jubilant and shellshocked threads. For some reason there wasn't much reaction here or elsewhere. I expected devoted threads.
That race was over at the beginning of the final lap, IMO. I thought it was hilarious when the 1500 guys were chugging along at the top of the stretch, oblivious to the inevitable. Once Wanyonyi drew even he put them away within two steps. It reminded me of the 5000 guys chugging along when Jakob is basically laughing at them.
There is far too much specialization in men's racing. None of them can manage what Hassan has done but far more is available than what they have attempted. The Olympic schedule should be set up to accommodate more doubles. Unfortunately the repechage stuff throws a wrench in that. It should be 800 and 5000 very early meet then 1500 and 10,000 at the very end. I believe that was basically the women's setup in Paris.
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u/AstutelyAbsurd1 19h ago edited 18h ago
Appreciate these discussion threads!
The 1500 should be dope with Cole Hocker, Josh Kerr, and Yared Nuguse, plus the 800m runners mixed in. But honestly, I'm a bit underwhelmed otherwise. Other races just aren't the same without some of the big dogs in them.
And this 200m long sprint that just happened. meh.
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u/_mursenary Sprints 18h ago
It’s April, not September.
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u/AstutelyAbsurd1 18h ago
Yeah, I get that. Also, the only time most of us get to watch T&F is during world championships or Olympics, so anything compared to those venue is gonna feel underwhelming.
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u/_mursenary Sprints 18h ago
Yeah, absolutely. I’m just appreciative. We get to watch this early. I would equate these kind of meets to preseason football. Miramar wasn’t much different today and they had a few big names
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u/Cgi94 18h ago
Men 200m
1st- Kenny 20.07
2nd- Zharnel 20.37
3rd- Kerley 20.39
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u/iAmFlamableMC Sprints, Coach 17h ago
Not that the times were quick, but Fred looked half decent? I don’t understand why he isn’t a better 200 runner with all the success he’s seen at 100 and 400.
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u/No-Shoe5382 18h ago
Got a feeling about Zharnel Hughes this season.
I expect Kenny Bednarek to win but Zharnel might run him close here. Might even take a sub 20 to win in the first outdoor race of the season.
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u/annyeonghaseye 15h ago
Zharnel Hughes is also definitely stepping up a lot this season—hoping to see a match-up with him and Jeremiah Azu in a future slam!
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u/TashaMackManagement 16h ago
I need them to please get rid of John Anderson (guy next to Sanya). Ato… or even give marathoner and t&f fan Matt James from The Bachelor a shot!
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u/annyeonghaseye 15h ago
I’m so happy for Dylan Beard! Also happy for Chris Bailey even if he placed second overall. He put up a good fight and now has the Nike sponsorship!!!
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u/AlexTTTTT 1h ago
Is there any sort of curated highlights package I can watch anywhere? Seems a massive oversight if not.
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u/Koleslaw756 poopy pants 1h ago
NBC YouTube channel has the races, and Grand Slam track league YouTube channel has some clips, not sure if they have a highlights thing, agree with you there. At the start of the slam they kind of go over yesterdays results too
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u/AstutelyAbsurd1 19h ago
Gotta admit, it's kinda funny to hear these announcers trip over themselves trying to remember to call Nikki Hiltz "they" while the other racers in the event "she."
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u/AltruisticCompany961 Distance 18h ago
Centrowitz has actually been spot on. It's the lady announcer in the middle who keeps tripping up. But Centrowitz probably knows Nikki personally and doesn't have that problem anymore.
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u/Disastrous_Bowls 17h ago
Referring to Olympic champion and 10-time world gold medalist Sanya Richards-Ross as “the lady announcer” is crazy.
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u/AltruisticCompany961 Distance 15h ago
There's a reason why I know Nikki Hiltz and Matthew Centrowitz versus a sprinter.
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u/AstutelyAbsurd1 18h ago
Ha Centrowitz! Several years ago he came to Chicago coming off knee surgery and ran a 15:52 5K. I wasn't too far behind and I'm older than him. He was within my sights. Had I known it was him, I swear I would have found an extra gear. 😂
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u/Disastrous_Bowls 18h ago
The voiceover announcers did a good job. Nonbinary pronouns are still pretty fresh in modern language when directly addressing a person, it won’t be easy overnight but the effort is really nice to see.
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u/Spiritual_Cress9399 7h ago
It must be difficult. I find it "confusing" because when the announcers say 'they/them' I think they're talking about the whole roster or a few athletes. We'll all adjust to the changes.
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u/AstutelyAbsurd1 6h ago
Yeah, same here. I was paying extra attention to it because they bungled it several times the day before. But oftentimes, they started started their sentences with "they" but it wasn't until halfway through their sentence that you realized they were talking about Nikki and not the group.
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u/AwsiDooger 14h ago
Carrie Tollefson was the broadcast star today, IMO. Superb job. She basically paused the middle of the women's 1500 to give Diribe Welteji's resume. You never hear anything like that. But Tollefson understood it was necessary after the pre race panel and especially Centrowitz had essentially dismissed Welteji and framed the race as nothing but Hiltz versus Hull.
Centrowitz did a great job overall. He is a broadcast natural. His one flaw both days has been underestimating Welteji. That race was anything but an upset. Welteji entered this meet with an 8-2 lifetime head to head edge over Hull at 1500 and 5-1 over Hiltz. Yet somehow she has remained easily the most underrated athlete in track and field for years. I was very pleased for Welteji and hope this boosts her profile. But she should have agreed to a post race interview. They asked her but she quickly said no. That was a mistake, a one common to many Ethiopians. Regardless of language barrier just smile and say anything that comes to mind.
The most disgusting medal result of Paris was Georgia Bell sitting back and picking Diribe Welteji at the line for bronze. Welteji had high ambitions after Budapest 2023 silver followed by defeating Kipyegon a month later in the inaugural road mile. Consequently she tried to win in Paris. Hull and especially Bell sat further back and were content with lesser medals. I always despise it when the bold attempt falls out of the medals completely. I'm American but have always emphasized that Raevyn Rogers picking Jemma Reekie by .01 for bronze was the single most undeserved outcome from Tokyo 2021. That one was even worse than Welteji/Bell.
The consequences this winter have been Hull introduced in every meet as silver medalist and Bell as bronze medalist, while Welteji stands there silently better than either one of them.
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u/goo_bear_lover 17h ago
Could you see Goose, Kerr, and Hocker hanging out all weekend? What are they discussing?
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u/Unlikely_Plankton597 11h ago
Can someone point me to which channel this is being telecast on in the US?
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u/JockCartier 17h ago
Poor crowds, sparse sponsorships, slow pace and just seems poorly thought out overall. The winners best take those checks straight to the bank.
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u/pmben 19h ago
I feel like they need to work on reducing the dead air time