From Thursday, July 31 to Sunday, August 3, the historic Hayward Field in Oregon will become the epicenter of American athletics as it hosts the 2025 USATF Outdoor Championships.
For many athletes, the mission is straightforward: finish in the top three of their event and secure a place on Team USA for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo this September assuming they’ve also met the qualifying standard. However, reigning 2023 world champions already holding automatic byes to the Worlds will use these trials to reaffirm their elite status, test themselves against top-tier rivals, or show they’re back in form following injury setbacks.
As expected, the entry list is packed with star power: Sha’Carri Richardson, Noah Lyles, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Katie Moon, and Grant Holloway are just a few of the headliners. But despite the familiar names, this year’s championships are shaping up to be wide open, with no guaranteed winners even among the sport’s biggest names.
Sprinters to Watch
Sha’Carri Richardson, the reigning world 100m champion, has a wildcard to Tokyo but is still slated to compete in both the 100m and 200m in Eugene. After a season marred by injuries and limited appearances, her best time so far 11.19 seconds is well outside the year’s top marks. Meanwhile, her training partner Melissa Jefferson-Wooden has emerged as a frontrunner, clocking the world’s fastest 100m (10.73) in Philadelphia this June. Both women will face off in the 100m and 200m, where Olympic gold medalist Gabby Thomas will also be in the mix.
Noah Lyles, who has byes in both the 100m and 200m as the reigning world champion, enters the trials with similar concerns about his health. A tendon issue slowed him early in the season, but his recent victory over Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo in Monaco suggests he’s finding his stride again. Challengers include Kenny Bednarek, Trayvon Bromell, Christian Coleman, and Fred Kerley.
Surprisingly, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone won’t compete in the 400m hurdles her signature event in Eugene. Without a wildcard, she’s opted to focus on the flat 400m, where she remains among the fastest American women ever. She’ll need to battle breakout star Aaliyah Butler and seasoned talent Alexis Holmes to earn a spot on the Tokyo squad.
In the men’s 400m, the absence of Olympic champ Quincy Hall opens the door for 17-year-old sensation Quincy Wilson. After making history in Paris as the youngest U.S. track Olympian, Wilson shattered his own one-lap best with a time of 44.10 earlier this year.
Mid-Distance and Distance Races
Athing Mu-Nikolayev, the Tokyo 800m champion, is a late but welcome addition to the trials. Cole Hocker, another Olympic gold medalist, is doubling in the 1500m and 5000m, while Grant Fisher will contest both the 5000m and 10,000m. Other key names include Grant Holloway (110m hurdles), Rai Benjamin (400m hurdles), and Masai Russell (100m hurdles), all of whom aim to confirm their dominance ahead of Tokyo.
Field Events
The field events feature just as much star power. In the women’s pole vault, Paris 2024 gold medalist Katie Moon will renew her rivalry with Sandi Morris. On the men’s side, two-time world champion Sam Kendricks is back, aiming for another global outing.
Tara Davis-Woodhall, fresh off Olympic gold in the long jump, is set to compete, while in the shot put, Ryan Crouser will miss the championships due to injury. That leaves the door open for Joe Kovacs, a multi-time world and Olympic medalist. Chase Jackson (shot put) and Valarie Allman (discus) are also big contenders, as is Anna Hall in the heptathlon.
2025 USATF Outdoor Championships Schedule
The meet spans four days, with events kicking off as early as 10:30 AM PT and running into the evening. Highlights include:
Thursday, July 31: Men’s and women’s 100m and 400m heats, 10,000m finals, hammer throw, steeplechase prelims.
Friday, August 1: Semifinals and finals in the 100m, long jump and high jump finals, heptathlon wrap-up.
Saturday, August 2: 200m heats, 400m and 1500m finals, hurdles semis and finals, triple jump and shot put finals.
Sunday, August 3: Finals in the 200m, 800m, 110m hurdles, 400m hurdles, 5000m, pole vault, and discus.
This year’s championships are shaping up to be one of the most competitive and unpredictable editions in recent memory. Stay tuned for a weekend of high drama, record-breaking runs, and new stars rising on the road to Tokyo.
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