New York (AFP) – Olympic 100m hurdles champion Masai Russell maintained her unbeaten start to the season on Saturday, storming to victory in the 60m hurdles at the Millrose Games in New York in a world-leading 7.76sec. The 24-year-old from Washington, who has now won all four of her indoor races in 2025, produced a flawlessly executed run to finish clear of compatriot Grace Stark (7.82sec) and Devynne Charlton of the Bahamas in third.
“I just stayed focused on my lane, got down and ran to the line,” Russell told NBC television after her victory. “I think I’ve just learned so much. I’ve had a tough time trying to get through these barriers and learning how to hurdle. It just took a lot of consistency, a lot of work and a lot of focus.”
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Russell’s world-leading time was matched in the men’s 60m hurdles by Dylan Beard, the 26-year-old from Baltimore. Beard finished in a season’s best of 7.38sec, with Cordell Tinch second in 7.43sec. In the men’s 60m meanwhile, Italy’s Marcel Jacobs, the Tokyo Olympics 100m champion, scratched from a race won by Marcellus Moore of the United States in 6.56sec. Trayvon Bromell was second in 6.59sec with Pjai Austin third in 6.61sec.
The women’s 60m was won by Jacious Sears in a world-leading time of 7.02sec, with Celera Barnes second in 7.15sec and Aleia Hobbs third in 7.16sec. The men’s 3,000m saw a world record for US runner Grant Fisher, who ran a superb tactical race to outfox Olympic 1,500m champion Cole Hocker. Fisher blasted past Hocker on the final lap, coming home in 7min 22.91sec to eclipse the previous world best of 7:23.81 set by Ethiopia’s Lamecha Girma in 2023.
“That was a battle for the ages right there,” said Fisher, a bronze medallist in both the 5,000m and 10,000m at last year’s Paris Olympics. “Cole’s at the top of his game right now so that’s a really good competitor, and I’m glad I got the win over him.”
Hocker, who shocked middle distance running with his upset 1,500m gold medal at last year’s Olympics, looked to be in control after spending most of Saturday’s race on Fisher’s shoulder. The 23-year-old hit the front with three laps to go but was unable to shake off Fisher, who produced a devastating kick off the final bend to outpace Hocker down the home straight for victory.
© 2024 AFP
