Grand Slam Track organizers announced on Thursday that the league’s upcoming meet in Philadelphia slated to kick off on May 30 would be cut to two days from the originally planned three.
The new two day format — revealed just two weeks before the next meet — is a departure from the three days of racing that were key elements of the Kingston and Miami meets in April and May.
The Philadelphia meet at Franklin Field was planned for May 30 to June 1 and will now begin on May 31.
“We’ve made the decision to condense our schedule in Philadelphia into two, high-octane, and intense days of combat racing,” league commissioner Michael Johnson said in a statement. “We want to be the most flexible, adaptive and fan-first league in sports, and we believe making these changes will improve the Grand Slam Track experience for all.”
The shortened schedule also means that races will be cut, as athletes who previously raced in the long distance category’s 3,000m and 5,000m will now race one event — the 3,000m in Philadelphia. And they will only be eligible for a $50,000 top prize instead of the $100,000 that previously on the line at the prior events.
“Coming off an amazing sold-out Miami Slam, we’ve taken time to celebrate the successes we’ve achieved in our inaugural season, but also have looked for ways to improve Grand Slam Track in real time,” Johnson said his statement.
Feedback from fans in attendance at the prior meets and via social media praised the innovated format of the league and the significantly higher prize payouts that far exceed similar meets. But a lack of field events, extended breaks between races and scheduling conflicts with Diamond League meets have also led to a stream of criticism that are seemingly part of the growing phase of Grand Slam Track.
Thursday’s announcement was seen as abrupt, but not unexpected and a flurry of comments on the league’s social media accounts varied from initial confusion to questions of why the schedule change was revealed so close to the Philadelphia event.
The league has informed ticket holders that they will be automatically refunded for the canceled Friday, May 30 portion of the meet.
Meanwhile, a new crop of Challengers — non-contracted participants — will join the field in Philadelphia, as Hobbs Kessler, Josh Hoey, Georgia Hunter Bell, Nia Akins and Isabella Whittaker were all announced as part of the adjusted schedule at Franklin Field.
Top talents like Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Gabby Thomas, Josh Kerr and Grant Fisher will also be on hand as the inaugural season of the league winds down amidst a busy year of outdoor track and field.
The final meet is on June 27-29 in Los Angeles and organizers have not indicated whether the two-day format from Philadelphia will remain in place.
