World 800m champion Moraa fired-up for Grand Slam challenge

Reigning World 800m champion Mary Moraa is gearing up for an exciting season opener at the inaugural Grand Slam Track League, set to take place in Kingston, Jamaica, from April 4 to 6.

Moraa has embraced the challenge of competing in both the 800m and 1500m events, as the league requires athletes to participate in two races. The 1500m will mark her first official appearance in the distance, a prospect she admits is daunting, but she remains determined to give her best performance.

“I’m ready and excited. Today, I am jetting out of the country to Jamaica for my first race of the Grand Slam season. It’s a new experience for me—running both the 800m and 1500m—but I know it will be a tough yet rewarding challenge. My training has gone well, and though this combination is unfamiliar territory, I am prepared to give it my all,” Moraa shared in a post on her Facebook page.

Moraa will face stiff competition from world-class athletes, including world indoor silver medallist Nikki Hiltz and Olympic silver medalist Jessica Hull, among others.

The Grand Slam Track League boasts one of the most lucrative prize structures in track and field history. Athletes have the opportunity to win up to $400,000 (Ksh 51,800,000) if they claim victory in all four Slams. The league’s opening event in Kingston will be followed by meets in Miami, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles.

Even those finishing outside the podium positions stand to earn significant rewards, with fourth-place finishers receiving $25,000 and fifth place taking home $20,000. Prize money extends to eighth place, ensuring strong competition throughout the series.