Marco Arop goes wire-to-wire, winning 800m on final day of Grand Slam Track in Jamaica

Marco Arop emerged victorious in the Grand Slam Track 800-metre race at the organization’s first-ever event in Kingston, Jamaica on Sunday. The Edmonton native dominated the race from start to finish, crossing the finish line in a time of 1 minute 45.13 seconds, securing a comfortable win over runner-up Emmanuel Wanyonyi.

Wanyonyi, a 20-year-old athlete from Kenya, managed to hold on and clinch the overall Short Distance title, earning a prize of $100,000 US after finishing with a time of 1:46.44. Bryce Hoppel from the United States claimed the third spot with a time of 1:47.02. Arop’s victory on Sunday solidified his second-place ranking in the overall Slam standings, just behind Wanyonyi.

In a surprising turn of events, Arop, who is the reigning 800-metre world champion, had a disappointing performance in the 1,500m race the day before, finishing in sixth place after falling behind the competition. Wanyonyi emerged as the winner of the 1,500m race in a thrilling finish.

Arop and Wanyonyi have developed a competitive rivalry, with Wanyonyi narrowly defeating Arop for the gold medal in the 800m final at the 2024 Summer Olympics. Arop joined the Grand Slam Track circuit last October and is the only Canadian athlete among the 48 racers committed to participating in all four Slams, including events in Miami, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles.

Having previously claimed the world championship title in the men’s 800m and a silver medal in record time at the 2023 North American Championships in Paris, Arop is a formidable force in the world of track and field.

In other events, Quebec City’s Charles Philibert-Thiboutot made a valiant effort in the 3,000m race, but ultimately finished last with a time of 8:09.46. The 34-year-old athlete, who has announced his retirement after this season, also placed last in the 5,000m race on Friday. Despite his recent struggles, Philibert-Thiboutot remains focused on enjoying his final season and aiming for personal bests before hanging up his spikes.

The Grand Slam Track event in Jamaica showcased incredible talent and fierce competition, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead in the world of professional track and field.