MIAMI, FL — Masai Russell broke the American 100m hurdles record on Friday with a stunning 12.17-second finish at the Grand Slam Track meet in Miami, making it the fastest time ever by an American and the second-fastest in world history. The 24-year-old sprinter surged past the previous national record of 12.20 seconds, held by Keni Harrison since 2016.
Her achievement at the high-profile meet, founded by Olympic icon Michael Johnson, placed her just behind the world record of 12.12 seconds set by Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan in 2022. The race featured ideal conditions, with a legal tailwind of +2.0 meters per second and fierce competition that saw fellow American Tia Jones also surpass Harrison’s former mark, finishing in 12.19 seconds.
“I didn’t expect that, but I just went out there and competed. It shows when you turn your brain off and compete, you don’t know what you’re capable of.”
said Masai Russell after her record-setting run.
Russell, who claimed gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics with a time of 12.33 seconds, continues to rise as one of the sport’s elite hurdlers. Her commanding performance in Miami not only reset the record books but also raised expectations heading into the upcoming international season.
The Grand Slam Track meet is part of a new circuit aiming to elevate track and field’s professional profile. With performances like Russell’s, the American women’s hurdles scene is surging with momentum and global relevance.
