Kenyan stars descend Kingston for inaugural Grand Slam Track

The highly anticipated competition, spearheaded by American sprint legend Michael Johnson, brings together elite athletes from around the world to battle for glory and lucrative prize money.

Among those flying the Kenyan flag in Jamaica are 800m world champion Mary Moraa, 2024 Olympic 5,000m silver medalist Ronald Kwemoi and 10KM world record holder Agnes Ng'etich, who have been categorized as seasoned racers.

They will be joined by reigning Olympic 800m champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi, Susan Ejore, a 1,500m finalist at the 2024 Paris Games and 2025 10KM Road Race winner Hellen Ekalale, who will compete as challengers.

The meet has drawn some of the best names in global athletics, setting the stage for thrilling duels.

In the men’s 800m and 1,500m, Wanyonyi of Kenya faces a formidable challenge against world 1500m champion Josh Kerr of Great Britain’s, USA’s duo Yared Nuguse and Cole Hocker, world 800m champion Marco Arop of Canada and Spain’s Mohamed Attaoui.

Wanyonyi will be keen to prove his dominance over both distances against such top-tier opponents.

Agnes Ng'etich has been drawn in the women’s 3,000m and 5,000m, where she is expected to be a strong contender.

Her competition includes Nozomi Tanaka of Japan, Ethiopia’s Tsige Gebreselama and Ejgayehu Taye, Elise Cranny and Whittni Morgan of the United States and Great Britain’s Melissa Courtney-Bryant.

With a solid track performance in recent months, the 10KM road race world record holder is well-positioned to make a statement in this field.

Mary Moraa, one of Kenya’s most dominant middle-distance runners, will test her early-season form in the women’s 800m and 1,500m against a strong lineup featuring Ethiopia’s Diribe Welteji, Australia’s Jess Hull, Jamaica’s Natoya Goule-Toppin, and American Nikki Hiltz.

Each athlete will race twice over the three-day meet, earning points based on performance.

Each category winner will take home $100,000 (KSh 12.925,000. million), with prize money extending to the top eight finishers.

After Kingston, the Grand Slam series will move to the United States for the remaining three legs; Miami, USA – May 2-4, Philadelphia, USA – May 30-June 1 and Los Angeles, USA – June 27-29.