'It’s a new event' - Mary Moraa gearing up for fresh challenge at Michael Johnson's event in Jamaica

Mary Moraa

'It’s a new event' - Mary Moraa gearing up for fresh challenge at Michael Johnson's event in Jamaica

Abigael Wafula 20:15 - 31.03.2025

Mary Moraa will be competing in a new event at the Grand Slam Track as it makes its debut in Jamaica this week.

Reigning world 800m champion Mary Moraa is looking forward to having a great season opener at Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track league which will debut in Kingston, Jamaica from April 4 to 6.

Mary Moraa revealed that she is ready for the challenge, but highlighted one challenge that she will encounter during the event.

In the Grand Slam track, an athlete who signs up must participate in two events and in this case, Mary Moraa will compete in the 800m and 1500m.

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The 1500m will be her first official race in her career and she has expressed worry ahead of the competition. However, Mary Moraa has expressed confidence in her abilities, noting that she will give her best shot.

“I’m very ready, today I’m jetting out of the country to Jamaica for the first race of this season of Grand Slam,” Mary Moraa said in a post shared on her Facebook page.

“I’m really ready…although it’s a new event to me, the combination of the 800m and 1500m, I know it’s going to be a tough race but I’m prepared.

“I’m going to compete and what I can tell you is that you wait for the results because of the way I’ve been training with my coach. My body is doing well but the combination of the 800m and 1500m is a challenge to me but I’m going to do my best.”

Mary Moraa will be up against the likes of world indoor silver medalist Nikki Hiltz and Olympic silver medalist Jessica Hull among other stars.

Grand Slam Track prize money

Grand Slam Track prize money
Grand Slam Track prize money

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone was the first athlete to sign with the Grand Slam Track league and she was sure about the tons of prize money at stake.

The track league offers one of the highest prize money structures in the history of track and field since an athlete has a chance to walk away with $400,000 if they win all four slams.

The first Slam will be held in Kingston, Jamaica before heading to the US cities of Miami, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles.

The fourth-place finishers will bag $25,000 with those who finish fifth pocketing $20,000. The athletes will be awarded up to eighth place.