Switching their event to the 400m at different meets, Fred Kerley and Noah Lyles dropped impressive personal best times to keep their intense rivalry alive ahead of the US Championships in July.

Racing in the 400m for the first time since 2023, Fred Kerley cruised to a resounding victory at the Mt. SAC Relays as Olympic champion Noah Lyles settled for a fifth-place finish in the same event at the Tom Jones Invitational.

The two-time Olympic medallist channeled his early quarter-mile years that saw him with a personal best of 43.64s set in 2019, power round the track to the brilliant time of 44.73s ahead of Jayden Davis (Arizona), who ran 44.84s, while Johnnie Blockburger was third in 45.26s.

Kerley’s victory was a bounce back from his poor outing at the Grand Slam Track in Kingston, where he failed to secure a top-three finish in the 100m and 200m events.

Fred Kerley

Paris Olympic bronze medalist Fred Kerley won his first 400m race in two years Paris Olympic bronze medalist Fred Kerley

Tweeting via his X page after his 400m success, the former world champion wrote: “44.73 light work,” and fans have called on him to focus more on the event, where he has a better chance of being among the greats in history.

New Sub-10s King: Sprint icon Akani Simbine topples Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell’s 100m record

New Sub-10s King: Sprint icon Akani Simbine topples Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell’s 100m record

Meanwhile, Lyles tasted a lukewarm defeat in the 400m at the Tom Jones Invitational, having finished fifth clocking a personal best time of 45.87s.

However, he’ll take solace in the fact that it was his first-ever pro race in the event since his high school days in 2016 and he massively lowered his Personal Best (PB) from 47.04s.

Noah Lyles lost his season opener in the 400m event

Jacory Patterson won the race in a new PB of 44.27s ahead of Justin Robinson in 45.22s, while Kennedy Lightner and Alonso Russell respectively finished in third and fourth clocking 45.64s and 45.82s.

JAMAICA sent a timely reminder of its sprinting prowess by winning three of the four 100m gold medals on opening day of the 52nd Carifta Games at Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain, Trinidad, yesterday.

After struggling earlier in the 400m and 1500m events, the Jamaicans roared back to take over the lead in the medal count on a day full of drama as defending champion in the Under-20 women’s 100m Sabrina Dockery was disqualified following a false start in the final, while both Jamaicans pulled up in the Under-20 men’s 400m final and failed to finish the race.

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A meet record in the Under-17 men’s triple jump by Amani Phillips late on Saturday, however, helped to raise the spirits in the Jamaican camp.

Jamaica led with 19 medals after the first day, consisting of seven gold, six silver and six bronze, followed closely by The Bahamas with 12 — six gold, four silver and two bronze — with Trinidad and Tobago in third place with five medals consisting of two gold, a silver and a bronze.

Pack Plays delivers a dominant performance in the Saint Cecelia Cup feature

Antigua and Barbuda, Cayman Islands, Grenada, Guyana and St Lucia all won one gold.

By comparison, Jamaica are well off last year’s medal pace as after the first day in Grenada they had amassed 26 medals — 12 gold, eight silver and six bronze — going into the second day.

Jamal Stephenson and Shanoya Douglas both ran personal best times to win the Under-20 men’s and women’s 100m titles, respectively, while Michael Graham won the Under 17 title.

Stephenson ran a huge lifetime-best 10.24 seconds (-1.4m/s), lowering his previous best of 10.38 seconds to take his first Carifta gold medal while beating Trinidad and Tobago’s Dylan Woodruffe- 10.30 seconds and Granada’s Ethan Sam- 10.41 seconds, both also lowering their bests as well.

Jamaica’s Antonio Powell was fifth in 10.51 seconds.

After Dockery’s disqualification Douglas, the 200m champion from last year, delivered in a big way, running 11.26 seconds (0.3m/s), comfortably ahead of the field and under her previous best of 11.28 seconds set last year.

The usually mild-tempered runner celebrated exuberantly, beating her chest and waving to the crowd, saying later that jeers from the stands directed towards the Jamaican team had sparked a fire in her.

Antigua and Barbuda’s Geolyna Dowdye took the silver medal in 11.43 seconds, just ahead of Shatalya Dorsett of The Bahamas who took the bronze medal with 11.45 seconds.

Graham clocked 10.53 seconds (0.0m/s) to win the Under-17 men’s 100m gold, getting to the finishing line ahead of Tiondre Frett of the British Virgin Islands- 10.58 seconds and Jamaica’s Jaydon Collins was third in 10.68 seconds.

Adora Campbell repeated her silver medal performance from last year after she ran 10.67 seconds (0.2m/s) in the Under-17 women’s 100m, beaten by St Lucia’s Jady Emmanuel who ran a personal best 11.50 seconds while Brion Ward from The Bahamas was third with 11.78 seconds.

Phillips won the Under-17 men’s triple jump with a wind-aided 15.58m (3.0m/s) but his second-best mark, 15.26m (-0.7m/s), was better than the previous meet record 15.19m set in 2013 by Miguel Van Assen of Suriname.

Grenada’s Crystophe Calliste of Grenada was second with a wind-aided 15.25m (3.1m/s), and Jamaica’s Khi-Anthony Hall was third, also with a wind-aided 14.21m (2.5m/s).

Olympic 100m champion Noah Lyles ran his first 400m race in nine years, making his professional debut in the event

On Saturday at the 2025 Tom Jones Invite he ran a new personal best of 45.87 seconds as he finished fifth.

Lyles aims to break the 100m and 200m records held by Usain Bolt who ran 400m during his youth career

Lyles aims to break the 100m and 200m records held by Usain Bolt who ran 400m during his youth career

The last time he ran the 400m was in 2016 when he held a personal best of 47.04s.

Prior to the race on the weekend Lyles announced on social media platform X that he would be running in the event and made a bold claim.

“Today will be my first pro 400m! Pr or Bust!,” he posted.

The American began the race with smooth steady strides much like a seasoned veteran in the 400m.

He ran the first 200m well but he then struggled in the final stretch as lactic acid built up.

Jacory Patterson claimed first place with a time of 44.2, the best in the heats.

Shorter distance sprinters often run the 400m to build overall fitness and enhance speed endurance.

Last year, Lyles told Shannon Sharpe and Chad ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson that he could threaten the 400-metre world record if he ever stepped up in distance.

“My PR is 19.3 in the 200m,” he said. “And I have some pretty good strength on me as well.

“I truly would like to take a shot at the world record if I decide to move to the 400m truly and give it my 100 per cent for multiple years – yeah I’m going after the world record.”

Lyles also revealed that he will possibly run the 4x400m relay

Lyles also revealed that he will possibly run the 4x400m relayCredit:

South African Wayde van Niekerk’s time of 43.03 seconds at the 2016 Olympics is the mark to beat.

Lyles performed alongside PJ Austin, Erriyon Knighton and Christian Coleman in the 4x100m relay and clocked 37.90s.

The American sprinter is aiming to further verify his greatness after winning gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics where he also picked up a bronze in the 200m.

In September, the World Athletics Championships is scheduled in Tokyo and Lyles will have his eyes laser focused on claiming three gold medals in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay.

But Down Under, teenage sensation Gout Gout is also warming up for his first senior major competition.

Gout and Lyles spoke together on the Beyond The Records Podcast where the Australian claimed he is ‘coming for that spot’, emphasising his will to surpass the Olympic champion.

“I’m trying to show you what’s up. I’m trying to come out there with a bang,” he said.

“Whatever I’ve got to do to show Noah I’m coming for that spot.

“Obviously it’s a learning experience, but deep down I’m trying to get a medal for sure, be in that final and running up Noah or trying to chase Noah down.”

Top-tier performances lit up the 2025 Tom Jones Memorial Invitational, held Friday, April 18 and Saturday, April 19 in Gainesville, Florida, as some of the world’s leading sprinters and hurdlers opened their outdoor seasons with blazing times.

Julien Alfred Dominates in Season-Opening 200m

Saint Lucia’s Olympic 100m champion Julien Alfred kicked off her 2025 campaign with authority, clocking 21.88 (0.2m/s) to dominate the women’s 200m. The performance is the second-fastest wind-legal time ever recorded this early in the year and narrowly missed her national record of 21.86 from London 2024. Alfred’s margin of victory—nearly half a second—underscored her form. Nigeria’s Favour Ofili took second in 22.34, followed by Tamari Davis (22.37) and Ireland’s Rhasidat Adeleke (22.57).

Women’s 200m Olympic Dev. Heat 1 Results

POS. NAME MARK

1 Julien Alfred 21.88

2 Favour Ofili 22.34

3 Tamari Davis 22.37

4 Rhasidat Adeleke 22.57

5 Daryll Neita 22.89

6 Niesha Burgher 23.09

DNS Thelma Davies

Charamba Breaks 20 Seconds, Fahnbulleh Impresses

Zimbabwe’s Makanakaishe Charamba made headlines in the men’s 200m, running a lifetime best of 19.99 (-0.8m/s) to break the 20-second barrier. In a separate heat, Liberian Olympic finalist Joseph Fahnbulleh posted a strong 20.07 (1.3m/s) to secure the win.

Sprint Hurdles: Cunningham and Stark Upset the Olympic Champions

In Saturday’s sprint hurdles, USA’s Trey Cunningham edged out Olympic champion Grant Holloway, posting a sharp 13.09 (1.5m/s) in his season debut—just 0.09 off his personal best. Holloway, returning for his first race since his World Indoor 60m hurdles triumph, finished second in 13.18. Dylan Beard rounded out the top three in 13.33.

On the women’s side, Grace Stark opened her season in style, winning the 100m hurdles final in 12.59 (-0.7m/s). She had earlier qualified with a swift 12.51 (0.2m/s) in the heats. Masai Russell finished runner-up in 12.65, with Christina Clemons third in 12.82.

Men’s 400m Produces Early World Lead

The men’s 400m saw two world-leading marks fall within minutes. First, Jacory Patterson won his heat in 44.27, while Noah Lyles, contesting his first professional 400m, ran 45.87 for fifth. Just two heats later, Chris Robinson—primarily a 400m hurdler—surged to a massive PB of 44.15, overtaking Patterson’s mark to claim the new world lead. Matthew Boling followed in 44.92.

Lyles, though out of his usual distance, also delivered fireworks in the 4x100m relay, anchoring a stacked Team USA alongside Christian Coleman, Pjai Austin, and Erriyon Knighton to a commanding win in 37.90.

Women’s 400m and 100m Sparkle

Aaliyah Butler delivered the day’s fastest women’s 400m, slicing more than half a second off her previous best to clock 49.44, signaling her arrival on the global scene.

Meanwhile, Anavia Battle became the first woman in 2025 to break the 11-second barrier in the 100m, recording a new personal best of 10.98 (1.6m/s).

In the men’s Olympic Development 100m final, Kanyinsola Ajayi, clocked wind legal 9.96 for the win (the 2nd fastest time this year in the world.

With multiple world leads, personal bests, and promising season openers, the 2025 Tom Jones Memorial delivered a powerful preview of what’s to come this year in global track and field.

Julien Alfred triumphs in 200m season opener at Tom Jones Invitational, Kayinsola Ajayi takes men’s 100m

The Paris 2024 Olympic women’s 100m champion began her 200m season with a victory at the invitational in Gainesville, Florida

Saint Lucia’s Julien Alfred at the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

Olympic champion Julien Alfred began her 200m season in style with victory at the Tom Jones Invitational on Friday (18 April).

Saint Lucia’s maiden Olympic medallist stormed to the finish line in 21.88s in the women’s 200m final in Gainesville, Florida (USA). This was her first 200m race of the season, having claimed Olympic silver in the event at Paris 2024.

Alfred finished ahead of fellow Olympians Favour Ofili of Nigeria and USA’s Tamari Davis, who completed the podium in the six-strong final.

The Saint Lucian double Olympic medallist’s performance was just 0.02s off her national record, which was set in London in July 2024.

In the men’s 100m final on Saturday (19 April), Nigerian Olympian Kayinsola Ajayi ran a sub-10 second wind-assisted race to take the title. Ajayi came in at 9.96s ahead of USA duo Jelani Watkins and Mccallum T’mars.

Over in the women’s 100m final, it was a home triumph for Team USA thanks to Anavia Battle, the first woman to break the 11-second 100m barrier in 2025. She finished on top in 10.98s, pipping McKenzie Long and Maia McCoy by 0.04s.

Gout Gout and Lachlan Kennedy will be looking to qualify for their first Stawell Gift final on Easter Monday – but their path to the showpiece 120-metre race will not be easy.

The pair dazzled in their respective heat races to book their spots in the semi-finals, which are set to take place from 12.43pm.

But Gout has been drawn in the same semi-final heat as 28-year-old John Evans, who was tipped by Stawell Gift expert Nick Fiedler to finish third in the final, while Kennedy has been drawn in the same semi-final heat as 17-year-old Dash Muir, who Fiedler backed to reach the final.

Six men – the winners of the six semi-final heats – will race in the final for $40,000.

Kennedy, who has a handicap of 0.25 metres, has been drawn in the first semi-final heat, while Gout will line up in the sixth semi-final heat off a mark of 1.00m.

Lachlan Kennedy and Gout Gout embrace following heats for the Powercor Stawell Gift.

Lachlan Kennedy (left) and Gout Gout embrace following their heats at the Stawell Gift. Getty

Evans set the fastest time of the heats when he clocked 12.13 off a mark of 9.75m.

Kennedy is not only set to race Muir, whose handicap is 7.75m, but 2018 champion Jacob Despard, who’s running off 1.75m.

Lachlan Kennedy (left) and Gout Gout embrace as the latter celebrates winning the 200m title at the 2025 Australian athletics championships. Kennedy was disqualified for a false start.

Gout Gout’s national championships in pictures: Stern message sent as schoolboy sensation, DQ’d rival embrace

Kennedy said he had more to give after racing in the heats and was hopeful he could “put on a show” once again on Monday.

“I’ve watched this Gift many times. Even before I started doing track, you always watch this as it’s a great event,” said Kennedy, who has a 100m personal best of 10.00 seconds.

“It’s got a whole lot of history behind it and I’m just honoured to be able to run here and be able to put on a show.

“I’ve got heaps more in the tank and hopefully we can go even faster in the semi and the final because I’m going to have to.”

Jasper Thomas was the second-fastest qualifier for the semi-finals and will race against 2023 Stawell Gift winner Ryan Tarrant.

‘

Usain Bolt crosses the finish line to set a new Olympic record of 9.63 seconds at the London Olympic games.

Usain Bolt has revealed the strategic mistake that cost him another world record at the 2012 Olympic games in the 100 meter event.

Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt has revealed the tactical blunder that cost him a fourth world record in the 100 meters at the London Olympic games in 2012.

With eight Olympic gold medals and multiple world records to his name, Bolt’s legacy as the fastest man on the planet remains unshakable, even in retirement.

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Bolt currently holds the world records in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m with times of 9.58 secs, 19.19 secs and 36.84 secs. His first world record was in the 100m in 2008 when he posted a time of 9.72 secs in New York.

He lowered it to 9.69 secs at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and then to 9.58 secs at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin. He holds the three fastest times ever run 9.58, 9.63 and 9.69.

Also in 2008 in Beijing, he set a new 200m world record taking 0.02 off Michael Johnson’s previous mark with a time of 19.30 secs.

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He lowered this time further to 19.19 secs in Berlin in 2009, a time which may stand for years to come.

Bolt could have ran faster than 9.58 if it weren’t for one mistake

Usain Bolt

Usain Bolt is adamant he could have smashed the 9.58 100m world record in 2012 if not for one mistake Usain Bolt is adamant he could have smashed the 9.58 100m world record in 2012 if not for one mistake

As part of the Jamaican 4x100m team, Usain broke three world records – 37.10 secs in Beijing in 2008, 37.04 secs in Daegu in 2011 and 36.84 in London in 2012. Jamaican teams with Usain have seven of the ten fastest 4x100m times in history.

At the 2012 Olympics though, he was looking to lower his record in the 100 meters even further. His target was to become the first man in history to run in under 9.5 seconds.

Although it was a race that saw him obliterate a star-studded opponent list that included Yohan Blake, Asafa Powell, Justin Gatlin and Tyson Gay to set a new Olympic record of 9.63 seconds, Bolt has opened up on the strategic mistake he made that cost him a faster time than 9.58 seconds in the showdown.

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“I messed up because I really should have gotten that world record that day,” Bolt admitted during an appearance on Ready Set Go.

“I never think about world records. When we were getting towards the end, I looked across and was like ‘I got them,’ and then when I got to the last meters I was like ‘s**t, world record!’”

That moment of realization, he says, led to an early and costly lean.

“I started leaning too early because as soon as it clicked, I looked at the clock and was like ‘oh s**t!’ My coach was like, ‘so stupid! What was that!?’ I was leaning way too early, so I slowed down a little bit — it was crazy.”

While 9.63 remains an Olympic record, Bolt’s confession adds a fascinating “what if” to one of the most electrifying sprints in Olympic history.

The Sun Devils’ top finishes were earned by Taylor Brown and Tyler Schierenberg. In the women’s 800m, Brown put on an impressive run, winning with a time of 2:09. With an outstanding time of 1:50.53, Schierenberg won the men’s 800m race, demonstrating his strength in a very difficult event.

Jayden Davis’ effort in the men’s 400m was one of the meet’s main highlights. With a scorching time of 44.84, Davis secured a place in the record books in addition to finishing second. He now holds the sixth-best 400-meter time in Arizona State history, which is a noteworthy accomplishment that solidifies his status as one of the program’s top athletes.

Galadriel Mellion finished fourth in the field events with a discus throw of 50.97m (167-2) and Ines Lopez took second place with 56.45m (185-2). Malik Franklin finished fifth in the 400m (46.66) while Mateo Medina finished fourth in the 200m (21.02). In the 4×400-meter relay, Medina, Franklin, Nicholas Ramey, and Jayden Davis also recorded times of 3:01.85.

Final Results /// Sun Devils on TFRRS

Top-10 Sun Devil finishers in Walnut, California

1) Taylor Brown, Women’s 800m (2:09)

1) Tyler Schierenberg, Men’s 800m (1:50.53)

2) Jayden Davis, Men’s 400m (44.84)

2) Ines Lopez, Women’s Discus Throw (56.45m/185-2)

2) Dennis Rono, Men’s 1500m (3:45.83)

2) Mateo Medina – Malik Franklin – Nicholas Ramey – Jayden Davis –

Men’s 4x400m Relay (3:01.85)

4) Mateo Medina, Men’s 200m (21.02)

4) Galadriel Mellion, Women’s Discus Throw (50.97m/167-2)

5) Malik Franklin, Men’s 400m (46.66)

6) Sam Cappos, Men’s Shot Put (16.99m/55-9)

6) Mia Chavez, Women’s 800m (2:09.94)

6) Harlie Medrano, Women’s Discus Throw (48.14m/157-11)

6) Evaline Chepkoech

Women’s 800m (2:09.94)

6) Harlie Medrano, Women’s Discus Throw (48.14m/157-11)

6) Evaline Chepkoech, Women’s 800m (2:06.69)

7) Danielle Sloley, Women’s Shot Put (15.79m/51-9.75)

8) Ashantai Bollers – Alexandria Johnson – Taiwa Kudoro – Naiya Morgan, Women’s 4x100m Relay (46.37)

8) Ava McCumber Gandara – Ashantai Bollers – Taylor Brown – Evaline Chepkoech, Women’s 4x400m Relay (3:43.23)

8) Ines Lopez, Women’s Shot Put

Noah Lyles runs personal best in professional 400m debut at Tom Jones Memorial, testing endurance ahead of World Championships season.

American sprinter Noah Lyles faced a humbling return to the 400m track at the Tom Jones Memorial in Gainesville, Florida, on Saturday, April 19.

The Olympic 100m gold medalist, who was making his debut over the distance as a professional, clocked a personal best of 45.87 seconds but failed to make the podium, finishing 14th in a competitive field of 26 runners.

The event marked Lyles’ first outdoor race since his dazzling performances at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where he claimed gold in the 100m and bronze in the 200m.

Despite showing solid form with a strong finish, Lyles fell short against the deeper endurance and pacing of seasoned 400m runners.

The race was won by Christopher Robinson, who impressed with a 44.15-second finish.

“Today will be my first pro 400m! Pr or Bust!” Lyles tweeted ahead of the race, a message that captured both his excitement and bold ambition.

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It was a return to old territory for Lyles, who last competed in the 400m back in 2016 as a high school senior.

Back then, he recorded a time of 47.04 seconds. On Saturday, he shaved more than a second off that mark, a commendable feat given the near-decade since his last outing in the event.

Lyles turned professional shortly after that high school season, signing with Adidas alongside his younger brother, Josephus Lyles.

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Since then, he has built a reputation as one of the most charismatic and formidable sprinters in the world, particularly over 200m, where he is a three-time world champion.

In 2025, Lyles appears to be broadening his range and testing his endurance in what is shaping up to be a packed and ambitious season.

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His sights remain firmly set on the upcoming World Championships in Tokyo, Japan, where he is expected to defend his 200m crown and perhaps compete in other events.

Saturday’s race was part of the first heat, which featured talented runners such as Jonathan Jones, Kennedy Lightner, Jacory Patterson, Justin Robinson, and Alonzo Russell.

The American has already kickstarted his season with appearances in indoor meets, including the RADD Sports College Invitational and the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, competing in the 60m.