With the 2025 Penn Relays set for May 30 to June 1 at Philadelphia’s iconic Franklin Field, reigning world 800m champion Marco Arop is preparing to make his mark once again.
The Canadian middle-distance star has been sharpening both his form and race strategy during the inaugural season of Grand Slam Track, a groundbreaking new series that’s redefining professional athletics in 2025.
Arop’s latest showing came this past Saturday at the Grand Slam Track meet in Miami,where he delivered one of the fastest 800m times of the season—1:43.6—a commanding performance in his signature event. At the same time, Arop continued to stretch his boundaries in the tactical and stamina-testing world of the 1,500m.
“I know I’m the best 800-metre runner in this field,” Arop declared post-race. “But I still have work to do in the 1,500. I’ve got to be more patient, more tactical. Whether I get a personal best or not, getting the win—or at least a higher placing—matters more.”
Earlier in the meet, Arop finished seventh in the 1,500m, a result he attributed to a tactical miscalculation. Still, he viewed the experience as another important step in his learning curve.
“If it came down to a tie, I was going to have to make it a fast race,” he said. “But Josh probably sealed it after yesterday’s performance. Credit to him—and all those 1,500m guys.” (Josh Kerr won the 1,500m event.)
Despite missing out on a podium finish in the overall meet standings, Arop left Kingston energized by his dominant 800m display.
“It was comfortable enough for me to control the race the entire way,” he explained. “I went out planning on 50-flat, but nobody else pressured, so I relaxed a little.”
While Arop’s 800m dominance is well established, he remains clear-eyed and humble about his development in the longer middle-distance event.
“As good as I am at the 800, I’m a beginner in the 1,500,” he admitted. “I can’t assume my speed will carry over. But I’m taking it step by step. Hopefully soon, I’ll be in a position to help—or even win—it.”
With Philadelphia looming, Arop’s game plan is becoming increasingly clear: build on his 800m dominance while growing smarter and more strategic in the 1,500m.
“I go into races with full confidence, knowing I’ve got tools from the 800,” Arop said. “That gives me more to work with when it matters.”
As the Grand Slam Track season unfolds and attention turns to the historic Penn Relays, Arop’s blend of elite speed, humility, and growing tactical awareness may be just what propels him to new heights on the road to Olympic season.
