**Team GB Stars Collect Record Prize Fund at Philadelphia Grand Slam Track Event**
A group of Great Britain’s most outstanding track and field athletes have enjoyed a lucrative weekend at the Philadelphia Slam, part of the newly established Grand Slam Track series. The competition, created by Olympic legend Michael Johnson, offers enticing financial incentives for competitors and proved especially profitable for several British athletes during its latest leg.
The Grand Slam Track format is designed to showcase versatility, with athletes participating in two events within their chosen discipline across each meet. Across four international dates, elite runners face off in a range of combined race categories, from short sprints to distance challenges. Having already made stops in Kingston and Miami earlier this season, the Philadelphia event marked a significant payday for Team GB contenders.
Although athletes compete as individuals, a strong contingent of British stars left their mark in Philadelphia. Olympic gold medallist Josh Kerr overcame recent disappointment in the Paris Games by edging out American rival Cole Hocker in a tense 1500m finish, clinching victory by just 0.07 seconds. Kerr’s overall performance across his events secured him an impressive £37,000 ($50,000) for finishing second in the short distance group, while compatriot Elliot Giles took home £7,400 ($10,000) for his efforts.
Meanwhile, Matthew Hudson-Smith was arguably the standout performer among the British athletes, capturing the top spot in the men’s long sprints category for the second time this season. The 400m specialist combined a commanding win in his preferred discipline with a solid fifth in the 200m, earning himself a substantial prize of £74,000 ($100,000) — the largest individual British payout over the weekend.
Zharnel Hughes also put on a strong display, finishing as runner-up in the men’s short sprints and picking up £37,000 ($50,000) after a third-place showing in the 100m and a close second in the 200m. Despite yielding to the USA’s Kenny Bednarek, who took gold in both races, Hughes’ efforts further contributed to the British team’s impressive haul.
Among the British women, Georgia Hunter Bell stood out with a third-place ranking in the women’s short distance category. The Olympic bronze medallist secured her podium finish after taking second in the 800m and a respectable fourth in the 1500m, ultimately earning £22,100 ($30,000). Sprint star Dina Asher-Smith also made her mark, placing fifth in the 100m and fourth in the 200m to claim £18,400 ($25,000) in prize money.
The Nielsen twins, Laviai and Lina, were not to be overlooked. Lina triumphed in the 400m and placed sixth in the 400m hurdles to earn £22,100 ($30,000), while Laviai competed over two sprint distances, contributing £7,400 ($10,000) from her eighth-place finish for a combined total of nearly £30,000 between them.
While only Hudson-Smith managed to take an overall victory, there was a clear improvement in British earnings compared with the preceding Grand Slam Track fixtures. The collective prize fund secured by British athletes at the Philadelphia meet totalled a record £225,000 ($305,000), comfortably surpassing the previous best of £164,000 ($222,500) from the season’s Kingston opener.
As attention now turns to the final Grand Slam Track event set for Los Angeles’ Drake Stadium later this month, interest remains high in who will be crowned the series’ top overall male and female performers. Currently, athletes are vying for not just final-day glory but also the overall “Racer of the Year” titles, awarded to those with the highest cumulative points.
The robust earnings and thrilling competition in Philadelphia highlight both the growing appeal of the Grand Slam Track series and the resurgent strength of British athletes on the world stage. With one event remaining, anticipation builds for what promises to be an action-packed and financially rewarding conclusion in Los Angeles.