American track and field sprinter, Kenny Bednarek believes 2025 is his year—and after what he did this weekend in Philadelphia, it’s hard to argue otherwise.
Bednarek, scorched the track at the Grand Slam Track (GST) Philadelphia stop He clocked a lifetime best of 9.86 seconds in the 100m final, shaving a hundredth off the originally listed 9.87. But beyond the time, it was the manner of his dominance that stood out. He was the only athlete to break both the 10-second barrier in the 100m and 20 seconds in the 200m, and he made it look routine.
“This is just another day for me,” Bednarek said post-race. “I know what I need to do when I step on the track—and I feel like no one can beat me this year.”
Bednarek Undefeated in GST
Now undefeated in all three Grand Slam Track events so far—Miami, Jamaica, and Philadelphia. Kenny Bednarek is thriving in a format that rewards winners over fast times alone. With fields stacked at every stop, GST forces top sprinters to deliver when it matters, in front of live crowds, back-to-back over two days.
“I love it. Grand Slam feels like it was built for me,” he added. “Every stop brings new challengers, but I’ve got the strength and the experience. I’ve been through the grind.”
That grind comes from a background in the 400m and intense training sessions alongside fellow sprint stars like Melissa Jefferson. “It’s always intense. Every time we step on the track together, it feels like a race,” he said. “That’s why I can run 9.86 and make it look easy.”
Despite Philadelphia’s chilly weather and a longer 200m bend at Franklin Field, Bednarek thrived, dismissing claims that the track was slow. “I heard that, but clearly that’s a lie,” he laughed. “This place reminds me a bit of Eugene. I’d definitely come back.”
