Kipyegon, Moraa to compete in second edition of women's only Athlos event in New York
The winner's circle will receive the largest-ever amount for a track meet: $60,000 for first place, $25,000 for second, $10,000 for third, $8,000 for fourth, $5,000 for fifth, and $2,500 for sixth in each of the six events
Kenya's Faith Kipyegon and Mary Moraa will compete in October's women only Athlos Invitational Meet in New York City, organizers have confirmed.
Alexis Ohanian, the co-founder of Reddit and husband of Serena Williams, is the primary investor behind Athlos NYC via his Seven Seven Six venture capital firm.
Athlos NYC will only have six running events: 100- 200-, 400-, 800-, and 1500-meter races, plus the 100-meter hurdles. There will be no field events, no long-distance events, and no relay. Athlos state that those disciplines will be considered in the future as the event grows further.
Kipyegon, the Olympic champion and world record holder will take part in the 1500 metres, where the three-time Olympic champion and world record holder, will be going head-to-head with Gudaf Tsegay, the Ethiopian star and former world record holder in the 5,000 metres who is also the third-fastest 1500 runner in history behind Kipyegon.
Moraa will take part in the 800 metres race and will face off with British Olympic champion from Paris Keely Hodgkinson and fellow Olympian Nia Atkins from the US among others.
Other top names in the six-race, 36-athlete roster include Gabby Thomas, who won America’s heart with her gold-medal performance in the 200 meters at the Paris Olympics, followed by two more golds in the 4×100-meter relay and the 4×400-meter relay. She’ll be joined in the 200 by Olympic bronze medalist Brittany Brown and two-time Olympian Jenna Prandini.
The winner's purse is the largest-ever for a track meet: $60,000 for first place, $25,000 for second, $10,000 for third, $8,000 for fourth, $5,000 for fifth, and $2,500 for sixth in each of the six events. That’s a whopping $552,500 total in prize money.
The winner’s take-home payout is more than what was paid at the Paris Olympics ($50,000) and twice what the Diamond League Finals paid winners ($30,000). Plus, each event champion will receive a specially crafted Tiffany & Company crown, and 10 percent of all Athlos revenue, including ticket sales, will be redistributed to participating athletes. Quite the rewards.
