Many of the world’s top women’s track athletes are set to compete for record prizes when the inaugural Athlos NYC gets under way on Thursday.
American Olympic 200m champion Gabby Thomas and Kenyan 1,500m world record holder Faith Kipyegon are among the stars in action at the women’s-only track invitational.
Alexis Ohanian – Reddit co-founder and husband of 23-time Grand Slam tennis champion Serena Williams – has launched the event which boasts a record $500,000 (£374,000) prize pool, external for a women’s track meet.
Winners across six disciplines will receive $60,000 (£44,900).
The Diamond League, in comparison, offers a $15,000 (£11,200) first prize across its 15 series meetings, rising to $30,000 (£22,400) for the final.
“I asked these women, I was like, ‘Hey, so what is your top prize at the end of a season for winning?’ And they said $30,000,” Ohanian told Reuters.
“And I said, ‘Great, I’m going to double it for one single race’.”
There are two Brits in action with Daryll Neita racing in the 100m and Katie Snowden competing in the 1500m.
The Athlos meeting continues wider investment in the sport and its athletes, with World Athletics paying Olympic champions for the first time at the Paris Games this year.
In June, American legend Michael Johnson announced the launch of a lucrative new athletics league starting in April 2025 called Grand Slam track, with a total of $12.6m (£9.9m) in prize money.
And last week, the Diamond League said it would raise its prize money for the 2025 season.
“It’s a great sign when there are other people seeing what you’re doing and racing to be a part of it too,” said Ohanian.