Faith Kipyegon, Marileidy Paulino Steal The Show At Athlos NYC

Faith Kipyegon, Marileidy Paulino Steal The Show At Athlos NYC

In the first-ever all-women's track meet, Olympic champions Faith Kipyegon and Marileidy Paulino shined brightest, taking home top honors at Athlos NYC.

Sep 27, 2024 by Maxx Bradley
Faith Kipyegon, Marileidy Paulino Steal The Show At Athlos NYC

History was made Thursday evening at New York's Icahn Stadium, as Athlos NYC took a step towards revolutionizing women's track & field. 

In the first-ever women's track meet, some of the greatest athletes in the sport took their talents to 'The Big Apple' for one last race before they indulge in some much-deserved off time.

From a thrilling upset in the final event of the night, to a tactical yet thrilling finish in the meet's longest race, Athlos NYC had a little bit of everything as it marked a milestone for the sport.

Let's rewind and take a look at who took home the Tiffany crown in the 2024 season's grand finale.

After finishing third in the 100mH Olympic final just a few months ago, Puerto Rico's Jasmine Camacho-Quinn has been on the warpath, tallying six wins in a row, with her latest coming under the lights at Icahn Stadium. Camacho-Quinn took down the United States' trio of Alaysha Johnson, Masai Russell, and Tonea Marshall, showcasing the fact that even though she didn't win gold in Paris, she's still one of the best to grace the event. 

Camacho-Quinn stopped the clock at 12.36, as Johnson and Russell crossed in 12.43 and 12.4, respectively.

One of the fastest women in the world, Côte d'Ivoire superstar Marie-Josée Ta Lou-Smith was a podium contender in both the 100m and 200m in Paris this summer, but after pulling up in the 100m final, the 35-year-old's final Olympics came to an end. In what's most likely the final time she'll get into the blocks this outdoor season, Ta Lou took down a competitive field in another sub-11 performance, running 10.98 to hold off the U.S. duo of Brittany Brown and Candace Hill, who both crossed in 11.05 and 11.14, respectively. 

Brown, who didn't think just one race was enough, eventually made her way back onto the track for the grand finale of the night, the 200m, where she was set for a head-to-head battle with defending Olympic champion Gabby Thomas. Roughly 90 minutes after her runner-up finish in the 100m, Brown flipped the switch and upset Thomas by the thinnest of margins, running 22.18 to Thomas' 22.21. 

Brown left New York $85,000 richer thanks to the lucrative prizes that all athletes were rewarded with.

The 400m is arguably one of the toughest events the sport has to offer, but Marileidy Paulino didn't make it look that hard last night, keeping her foot on the gas two months after winning Olympic gold, crossing the line in 49.59, her eighth trip under 50 seconds this year. 

Paulino was one of two women who went sub-50, as American Alexis Holmes didn't want to be left out, clocking 49.99. 

Bahrain's Salwa Eid Naser settled for a dominant third place finish in 50.40. 

In true dominant fashion, Ethiopia's Tsige Duguma was in control of the 800m the entire time, going wire-to-wire as she won in 1:57.43, her ninth trip under 2:00 this year. Just like she did at Stade de France this summer, Duguma held off reigning World Champion and Olympic bronze medalist Mary Moraa of Kenya. 

Jamaica's Natoya Goule-Toppin closed out the top three finisher with a 1:58.63 for third.

The longest event of the night, the 1500m, was highlighted by a historically fast field that included Kenya's Faith Kipyegon, the world record holder and three-time defending Olympic champion. As if there was ever any doubt, Kipyegon did what she needed to do when it mattered, using her potent closing speed to close in a blistering 58.45 for her final lap.

The G.O.A.T. pulled away from Ethiopia's young star Diribe Welteji and Kenyan countrywoman Susan Ejore-Sanders, who ran 4:05.58 and 4:06.25, respectively. 

Kipyegon's winning mark of 4:04.79 was enough to continue her streak of success, winning her eight 1500m race this year.