For most athletes, the 2024 track season has come to a close. But, for some of the fastest women in the world, their most exciting endeavour has yet to come. On Thursday in New York City, the world’s fastest female athletes will go head-to-head at the new all-women’s track meet, dubbed Athlos. The athletes will be competing for the largest prize purse ever for a women’s track event–totalling USD $500,000. The intention behind the meet is to address the lack of visibility for track and field outside of the Olympics and for women’s sports in general.
Athlos, to be hosted at Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island in NYC, will feature six races: 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1,500m and 100m hurdles. Notable athletes that will take the stage include Olympic champions Gabby Thomas (200m), Faith Kipyegon (1,500m), Marileidy Paulino (400m), and Masai Russel (100m hurdles). It will also feature the newly-minted champions of the Diamond League final, Mary Moraa (800m) and Brittany Brown (200m), as well as rising star Addy Wiley of the U.S. (800m).
The winner of each event will take home USD $60,000, surpassing the prize money for winners of Olympic finals (USD $50,000) and the Diamond League Final (USD $30,000). Additional prize money will be offered for athletes in each lane; second and third place will be rewarded with $25,000 and $10,000, respectively.
The event, formerly called the 776 Invitational (when it was first announced in April), has been renamed Athlos (the Greek word from which “athletics” is derived); the name is designed to evoke excellence and triumph–characteristics that will undoubtedly be captured at this first-of-its-kind event. The competition is funded by Seven Seven Six, the venture capital firm founded by Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, who partnered with Thomas to bring the idea to life.
It takes changing things for the future…
… @athlos will bring the fastest women from around the world to compete together, for one day, for the largest prize purse EVER. This event isn’t just a first for women.
It’s a first for track. Period. pic.twitter.com/1BgkGmOOdN
— Alexis Ohanian 🇦🇲 (@alexisohanian) September 23, 2024
The event will cater to the athletes–right down to the race bibs. Standard bibs are designed to fit the male torso; Athlos NYC will provide the first-ever race bibs designed for women in a smaller size, facilitating not only a better fit for a woman’s torso but also for the smaller competition tops often worn by these athletes.
“Our ambition has always been to have a world-class event that is accessible to all, bringing a new generation of fans to the sport and continuing to shine a light on these incredible women athletes,” Athlos CMO Kayla Green said.
As the athletes reach for new heights in athletics, musical guest Megan Thee Stallion will take the stage, while DJ Derric “D-Nice” Jones curates iconic walk-out music for each runner in the lead-up to their race.
It’s all going down this Thursday — and @itsgabbyt is getting in the zone.
Don’t forget it, she runs NYC 💥 pic.twitter.com/JYCslfsQNL
— ATHLOS (@athlos) September 23, 2024
The streaming partners chosen by Athlos are optimal for global audiences and ease of access: X, YouTube, ESPN+, and DAZN (international). The meeting begins on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET.
