Ethiopian Star, Diribe Welteji delivered one of the most electrifying performances of the 2025 Grand Slam Track series, storming to victory in the women’s 1500 meters at the Philadelphia Slam with a time of 3:58.04.
In doing so, Diribe Welteji shattered the long-standing Franklin Field record, previously held by American legend Mary Slaney since 1980. With a devastating final-lap kick, Welteji separated herself from the pack. She send a clear message to her rivals just months before the World Championships.
Jessica Hull of Australia came second with 3:58.36. Nikki Hiltz of United States rounded off the podium with a time of 4:00.54.
Mary Moraa
On the flip side of this historic moment was Kenya’s Mary MORAA, who suffered an unexpected setback. Known for her explosive finishes in the 800m, Moraa appeared out of rhythm in the longer distance and faded to seventh place in 4:25.79. That was far from the dominant form that saw her win gold in the 800m at the 2023 World Championships.
Though not her specialty event, Moraa’s appearance in the 1500m had sparked anticipation, but the outing showed just how tough the competition has become in the Grand Slam Track circuit.
The Grand Slam Track series, launched by Olympic great Michael Johnson, has quickly gained reputation. This is due to as one of the most competitive and entertaining athletics showcases globally. With elite athletes going head-to-head across major U.S. cities like Miami, Atlanta, and now Philadelphia, it’s become a battleground for champions. This also serves a platform for new stars to rise. Big names like Athing Mu, Christian Coleman, and even Grant Holloway have faced defeats during the tour. This proooves that nothing is guaranteed.
With more stops on the calendar, the pressure mounts. Will Moraa bounce back in her preferred 800m event, or is a new order taking shape?
