Monday 5th May 2025

Photo by Andrew Devereux, Grand Slam Track

*Please note we may include a BUCS round-up in this in due course. Thanks.

Josh Kerr has achieved a significant milestone by claiming his first Grand Slam Track title, which includes an impressive prize of $100,000. His victory was secured through an outstanding double performance in the 800m event during the second competition of the series held in Miami. This achievement not only highlights his athletic prowess but also solidifies his position among the elite athletes in middle-distance running.

The world-renowned 1500m champion Kerr showcased his exceptional talent by winning the men’s short distance category in the 1500m race on Friday, earning the maximum 12 points from that event. He finished with an impressive time of 3:34.51, surpassing fellow Olympic medallists Cole Hocker and Jared Nuguse, further establishing his credentials as a top competitor in middle-distance events.

To determine the overall winner of the series, the points accumulated from both the 1500m and 800m races are combined, showcasing the athletes’ versatility and endurance. Kerr’s strategic performances allowed him to finish with a total of 16 points, placing him two points ahead of Canada’s Marco Arop. In the 800m, he recorded a personal best time of 1:45.01, ranking him fifth in that race and making him the fifth fastest Scot in history for that distance.

Reflecting on his progression, Kerr, who previously finished seventh at the inaugural Grand Slam Track meet in Kingston, Jamaica, last month, stated: ‘I think progress was definitely the name of the game this week. That allowed me to come in pretty relaxed and just ready to fight for wins.’ His positive outlook signifies his commitment to continuous improvement and competitive spirit.

‘I definitely think we got some more sharpening to do before the end of the Grand Slam season. We’re having fun with it,’ he added, indicating his dedication to enhancing his performance as the season progresses.

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In a related event across America, two remarkable Scottish female athletes showcased their impressive progress with outstanding personal best performances. Angela McAuslan-Kelly achieved a remarkable milestone by setting her Hammer throw personal best at an impressive distance of 64.78m, surpassing the qualifying mark set by Team Scotland for the upcoming Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. This achievement places her fourth on the all-time Scottish list, highlighting her exceptional talent and dedication to the sport.

Meanwhile, Rebecca Grieve excelled in the 400m event, lowering her personal best to a remarkable time of 52.08 seconds, which also set a new record for the University of New Mexico Women’s programme. This outstanding performance not only showcases her talent but also meets the Euro U23 qualifying standard for Great Britain and Northern Ireland, further elevating her status as an athlete to watch.

At the same event in Tucson, Brodie Young also had an impressive outing, clocking a time of 45.84 seconds in the 400m race, while Jamie Phillips demonstrated his finesse in the 800m with a commendable time of 1:48.17, contributing to the strong representation of Scottish athletes in these events.

*At the prestigious Shanghai/Keqiao Diamond League meeting in China, Erin Wallace shone brightly by posting a season-best performance in the 800m, finishing with an impressive time of 2:00.30. This outstanding achievement is especially significant for the Giffnock North AC athlete, as her time falls within the qualifying standard of 2:00.82 set by Team Scotland for Glasgow 2026, showcasing her potential for future competitions.

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Tags:
Angela McAuslan-Kelly, Erin Wallace, Josh Kerr, Rebecca Grieve