Track and Field Female Athletes Get Crowned At ATHLOS NYC

Short N Sweet Ent

For all those who are track & field fans, supporters, and especially athletes, ATHLOS is where it’s at.

ATHLOS launched in 2024 as the first professional all-women’s track and field meet, elevating the sport to a new level. It is a space that highlights and celebrates women athletes and most, importantly, pays them what they deserve. “We’ll have made it in women’s sports when we can let female athletes be everything we allow male athletes to be,” ATHLOS founder Alexis Ohanian says. Women athletes feel seen, and with their outstanding competitive performances, they make sure to put on a show for any and everybody who is watching.

On Thursday, October 9^th, on a chilly, cold night, the wind was blistering, but the first-ever long jump competition was heating up in the middle of Times Square. Jazmin Sawyers, Claire Bryant, Quanesha Burks, Monae’ Nichlos, Jasmine Moore, and Tara Davis-Woodhall laced up, took their marks, and made history. Whether you were intentional about coming out to support or casually walked by, you witnessed the strength, resilience, and power each athlete took as they jumped into the pit with such grit and personality. Tara Davis-Woodhall, Jasmine Moore, Jazmin Sawyers, and Quanesha Burks made it to the finals and were ready for the next level of competition.

The time has finally come, and on Friday, October 10^th, at Ichan Stadium, a sold-out crowd filled their seats to witness their favorite athletes go head to head to be crowned the best this season. 

Peleton instructor Robin Arzon hosted the red carpet, and Media Sports Personality Arielle Chambers hosted the main stage, and both ladies brought the excitement and energy to the day.

Stars in attendance included Gabby Thomas, Sanya Richards Ross, Sha’Carri Richardson, Hunter Woodhall, Mellisa Jefferson-Wooden, Twanisha “Tee Tee” Terry, Celera Barnes, Dawn Harper-Nelson, Noah Lyles, Junelle Bromfield, Anna Hall, Darius Slayton, Natisha Hiedeman, Courtney Williams, Flavor Flav, Kysre Gondrezick, Issa Rae, Suni Lee, Queen Latifah, and Russell Wilson.

This year, 36 elite women athletes left their mark and gave it everything they had. Every event was electric, and the crowd was in an uproar, rooting for their favorite athlete to cross the finish line.

Event Winners

100mh Masai Russell 12.52

100m Brittany Brown 10.99

200m Brittany Brown 21.89 (Meet Record & Personal Best)

400m Marileidy Paulino 50.07

800m Keely Hodgkinson 1:56.53 (Meet Record)

Mile Faith Kipyegon 4:17.78

Long Jump Tara-Davis Woodhall 7.13

In a beautiful and spectacular fashion, when the winning ladies hit center stage, they were crowned by the one and only Serena Williams. “Womens sports have been cool, you guys have finally just noticed,” said Williams.

The highlight of the meet came during an emotional ceremony that celebrated the 16-year career of one of the greatest female sprinters of all time, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. Earlier this month, Shelly-Ann announced her retirement, but her dominance in the 60m, 100m, 200m, and 4x1 Relay Teams has made an impact across all sports. Her legacy will live on, and after she was honored on stage, Shelly-Ann told us at Short N Sweet Entertainment that, “as a fitness tip to future athletes, honestly, I would start small”. Shelly-Ann is one of the blueprints to track and field and is an example of true excellence.

The night ended with a once-in-a-lifetime performance with Grammy Award-winning singer Ciara. The audience sang along with her greatest hits to Goodies, Oh, “One, Two, Step”, Level Up, Run It Up, and her latest single Low from her newest album, CiCi. She finished her performance by thanking everyone who came out and stated, “I am obsessed with supporting equity for women in sports”.    

This year, ATHLOS NYC couldn’t have done it without the amazing partners that contributed to this year’s success. Thank you to Cash App, Essentia, Toyota, Tiffany & Co., ION, Instacart, August, Clapoti, Continental, Halo, Playa Society, Randall’s Island Park Alliance, Rodeo, Shark Beauty, Strava, Togethxr, Tower28, The Realest, and Voice in Sports.

ATHLOS NYC is making a difference. It is taking a stance in empowering the next generation of athletes, and we are all already excited about what’s next to come.  

Written By: Shauntay Hallett

Credit Photos: Courtesy of ATHLOS

Until Next Post... Coach Tay