Julien Alfred delivered a sensational performance at the New Balance Grand Prix in Boston on Sunday, blazing to victory in the women’s 300m with a new St. Lucian national record of 36.16 seconds. Leading from the start, she split 11.83 at 100m and 23.18 at 200m, before surging to the finish, leaving Great Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith in her wake. Asher-Smith finished second in a personal best 36.87, while France’s Emma Montoya took third in 38.37.
Alfred’s commanding run further solidifies her status as a top-tier sprinter, proving she is a force to be reckoned with in the 2025 indoor season.
Meanwhile, Bahamian sprinter Terrence Jones also made a statement in the men’s 60m dash, finishing second in 6.57 seconds, a season’s best. He was only beaten by American world champion Noah Lyles, who stormed to victory in 6.52 seconds. PJ Austin of the United States took third in 6.60 seconds, while Olympic 100m champion Marcell Jacobs of Italy settled for fourth in 6.63 seconds.
Olympic gold medallist Rai Benjamin dominated the men’s 300m, clocking a personal best of 32.21 seconds. Benjamin took control after a 10.77 opening 100m split, extending his lead through 200m in 20.90, before closing out the race with an 11.31 final 100m. He finished ahead of fellow American Vernon Norwood (32.39 PB), while Matthew Boling placed third.
Meanwhile, Trinidad and Tobago’s Jereem Richards had a solid showing in the men’s 400m, finishing third in 46.49 seconds. He split 21.12 at 200m, staying in contention before Americans Quincy Wilson (45.66 PB) and Will Sumner (46.27 PB) edged ahead in the final stretch.
Jamaica’s Romaine Beckford had an excellent showing in the men’s high jump, clearing 2.19m to finish second on countback behind USA’s Vernon Turner, who took the victory at the same height. Puerto Rico’s Luis Castro Rivera also cleared 2.19m, finishing third with a season’s best.
In the women’s 60m hurdles, Bahamian Devynne Charlton was impressive, clocking a season’s best of 7.85 seconds to finish third. She was narrowly beaten by Masai Russell (7.80 SB) and Grace Stark (7.81), both of the United States. Jamaican sprint hurdler Ackera Nugent placed fourth in 7.92 seconds, just missing out on a podium finish.
Source: SM
