Grand Slam Track Adds Miami and Philadelphia to Inaugural 2025 Schedule
Cities join Kingston and Los Angeles as inaugural season
Posted On: November 14, 2024 By :The new professional track competition being organized by four-time Olympic champion Michael Johnson, Grand Slam Track, will have a meet in Miami from May 2-4, 2025 and Philadelphia from May 30–June 1.
“South Florida knows how to host big events and that’s exactly what we’re bringing with Grand Slam Track,” said Johnson, the league’s founder and commissioner. “Philly has a reputation for bringing intensity to every event, and that’s exactly what we’re looking for. There’s a unique energy in this city, and we’re excited to see how the athletes respond to that.”
The Miami Slam will take place at Ansin Sports Complex in Miramar, Florida. The Philadelphia Slam will be at Franklin Field, traditional site for the Penn Relays each spring.
“We are thrilled to have been selected as one of the host cities for the inaugural season of the Grand Slam Track,” said Miramar Mayor Wayne Messam. “This event will not only showcase our city’s state-of-the-art facilities but also provide an opportunity for our community to come together and celebrate the spirit of sportsmanship.”
Grand Slam Track earlier this week announced the Kingston Slam will be held at the National Stadium at Independence Park from April 4-6 in Jamaica. Kingston joined Los Angeles as the first two cities announced.
“We are thrilled to be bringing Grand Slam Track to Kingston,” said Johnson, the league’s founder and commissioner. “Jamaica has such a strong history in this sport. The talent and the love for the sport here make it a perfect fit for what we’re building. It’s going to be an incredible event, and we’re proud to have Kingston as one of our four Slams in our inaugural season to kick this whole thing off.”
Each year, 48 athletes will be named to the league as GST Racers and will commit to racing in all four Slams per year. They will receive an annual base compensation for racing in each Slam and are eligible for full prize money. The remaining 48 racers will be known as GST Challengers and will be paid a set appearance fee to compete at individual Slams.
“Being chosen as a host city for Grand Slam Track is a big moment for Kingston and for Jamaica as a country,” said Hon. Olivia Grange, minister of culture, gender, entertainment & sports. “This is a chance for us to be part of something huge, bringing top athletes to our track and helping the sport grow in a new and exciting way. Fans will get to experience the sport they love up close and it’ll be something special for everyone watching, both here and around the world.”
The focus will be on head-to-head competition. All racers will compete twice over the three-day event and all Slam events will meet World Athletics regulations, with achieved marks being eligible for rankings and standards.
“We are proud and excited that Kingston has been selected to host the very first Grand Slam Track™ event,” said Garth Gayle, president of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association. “As the governing body for the sport, we see this as a testament to our past and present athletes, whose achievements and legacy have established Jamaica as the track capital of the world. This event also marks an important milestone for the development of our future athletes, who will benefit from the opportunity to see the world’s greatest track stars up close and personal.”
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