Sydney McLaughlin‑Levrone returned to her flat‑400m roots at the 2025 Prefontaine Classic in Eugene on July 5, delivering a convincing victory in 49.43 seconds to claim the women’s 400 m crown . She pulled away during the final straight, crossing the line ahead of NCAA standout Aaliyah Butler who clocked 49.86 s and Britain’s Isabella Whittaker, who finished third in 50.81 s .
Despite the win, McLaughlin‑Levrone expressed a measure of disappointment after the race. Though comfortably under 50 seconds, she shy of her American record and personal best of 48.74 s . Achieved in 2023, that mark remains one of the fastest ever run, but Saturday’s performance still set a strong tone for the latter half of her season.
Competing in the “Non‑Diamond League” women’s 400 m, she demonstrated both speed and control leading from the gun and maintaining her form under pressure . The race served not only as a statement of her elite sprinting prowess but also as a reminder of her versatility she’s more commonly known for dominating the 400 m hurdles, where she holds the world record (50.37 s) and Olympic gold .
McLaughlin‑Levrone’s win at Hayward Field comes amid a packed Prefontaine Classic weekend that featured world‑record performances by Faith Kipyegon (1500 m) and Beatrice Chebet (5000 m), as well as standout sprints and field events . Her stepping onto the Diamond League stage again sets the stage for a thrilling build‑up to the upcoming World Championships later this summer.
With a season best in hand, Sydney McLaughlin‑Levrone has reasserted her status as one of track & field’s premier talents her Prefontaine Classic win may not have rewritten record books, but it underscores her unmatched competitive consistency heading into peak season.
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