Every year, the World Athletics Awards shine a spotlight on the elite performers who have dominated the track, field, and road events. The Female Track Athlete of the Year is among the most fiercely contested honours — it celebrates women whose speed, endurance, consistency and championship mettle have set them apart. As the 2025 edition approaches, a standout field of nominees has been revealed.
The Nominees
The five women nominated for the 2025 Female Track Athlete of the Year are:
Femke Bol (Netherlands) — undefeated in the 400 m hurdles this year, and also winner of the Diamond League in that event.
Beatrice Chebet (Kenya) — double world champion in the 5,000 m and 10,000 m, and she also broke the world record in the 5,000 m.
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden (USA) — claimed world titles in the 100 m, 200 m and the 4×100 m relay; she remained undefeated in the 100 m with top performances.
Faith Kipyegon (Kenya) — world champion in the 1,500 m, silver medallist in the 5,000 m, and also set a world record in the 1,500 m.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (USA) — world champion in the 400 m and in the 4×400 m relay, undefeated in her 400 m races (and 400 m hurdles), and logged the second-fastest 400 m time ever.
This is a stellar line-up: sprinters, hurdlers, middle-distance stars, and endurance champions all competing in different disciplines. Deciding a winner is no easy task.
What Will Decide It
The selection process is multifaceted. First, athletes’ performances in major global championships, world records, unbeaten streaks, and consistency across the season are critical metrics. Then there’s the voting mechanism: a combination of decisions by the World Athletics Council (50 %), votes from the athletics family (25 %), and a public vote via social media (25 %) contributes to deciding finalists and ultimate winners.
That public/social media component means that popularity, visibility, and fan support matter alongside raw results. Sometimes that helps an athlete with high media profile or large fan base.
Who’s the Favorite (and Who Might Upset)?
If one had to pick frontrunners, a few names stand out:
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has a strong case. Her dominance in the 400 m, coupled with her ability in both flat and hurdle events, plus her near-world-record performances, position her as a major contender.
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden is formidable. Winning the 100 m, 200 m, and relay titles in a single season is a rare feat. Her undefeated streak in the 100 m gives her huge momentum.
Beatrice Chebet, with her world record and double gold over longer distances, appeals to voters who prize endurance and championship titles.
Femke Bol, while more specialist (400 m hurdles), has been flawless this year in her event and could attract support from those who reward perfection and dominance in a discipline.
Faith Kipyegon, a consistently stellar performer over years, brings a legacy plus high-level results, and could be the sentimental or “respect vote” choice.
If I were to lean, I would slightly favor Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone or Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, with Chebet as a possible dark horse. But because of the mixed weighting (fan votes plus expert panels), surprises are possible.
Final Thought
The 2025 Female Track Athlete of the Year race is a microcosm of modern athletics: diverse events, global reach, and a balance between objective results and subjective popularity. When the final votes are tallied, we might see a sprinter, a hurdler, or a distance queen take the crown. Whoever wins, it will reflect not only their speed or stamina, but their resonance with fans and their impact on the sport this year.
Let me know if you want me to rewrite it in a different tone (e.g. punchi
er, more speculative) or adapt it for social media.
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