- Emmanuel Wanyonyi bagged a prize money of $100,000 (approximately Ksh 12,940,000) for finishing at the top of the men’s short distance ranking.
- Kenyan runners won a total of $230,000 (approximately Ksh 29,908,751) in the 2025 Kingston Grand Slam Track.
- Wanyonyi is expected to take part in the upcoming Grand Slam Track series that will be staged in Miami in May.
Emmanuel Wanyonyi and his Kenyan compatriots are set to return from the first Grand Slam Track of the year that was held in Kingston, Jamaica with a huge sum of money.
All the six athletes, who took part in the three day event that was in Jamaica’s national stadium, were each awarded for their heroics, especially Wanyonyi.
Wanyonyi beat a star-studded field to emerge victorious in the men’s short distance (800m and 1500m) category.
He produced the shock of the Kingston Grand Slam Track series when he clinched the 1500m title on Friday, beating the three 2024 Paris Olympic Games medalists in the process.
Wanyonyi, who is expected to represent Kenya in the 2025 World Athletics Championships, went on to finish second in the 800m race that was staged on Sunday.
Breakdown of the prize money Kenyan athletes won at Kingston Grand Slam Track
His heroics in the two races guaranteed him the top position in the final Kingston Grand Slam Track rankings with 20 points and a whopping $100,000 (approximately Ksh 12,940,000 as per the current exchange rate).
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Besides Wanyonyi, five other Kenyan athletes who took part in the event as Racers and Challengers, managed to win different sums of money for their performances.
Agnes Jebet Ngetich and Hellen Ekalale were each awarded $50,000 and $25,000 respectively for finishing second and fourth in the long distance (3000m and 5000m) women’s category.
Meanwhile, Susan Ejore pocketed $30,000 for finishing third overall in the women’s short distance (1500m and 800m) behind the likes of Ethiopia’s Diribe Welteji while Ronald Kwemoi bagged $15,000 after settling for the sixth position in the men’s long distance category (5000m and 3000m).
Finally, Mary Moraa, who did not compete in the 800m race due to health-related complications, scooped $10,000 after being ranked last in her category.
Moraa promises to return stronger after Kingston Grand Slam Track setback
Moraa promised to come back stronger in the upcoming Grand Slam Track series that will be held in Miami, United States from May 2 to May 4.
“I came to Kingston hoping to stage standout performances in the short distance races – 800m and 1500m – at the Grand Slam Track. Unfortunately, that will not happen since I am forced to withdraw from the second race – 1500m – and the entire event tonight because of a recurring medical condition.
I would like to thank the organizers of the event, especially legendary Michael Johnson for the wonderful initiative and invitation. I hope to recover and bounce back on time for the next event in Miami, USA,” she stated.
The total amount of money Kenyan athletes won in Kingston Grand Slam Track
In total, Kenyan runners received a prize money of $230,000, which is approximately Ksh 29,908,751 when converted into the local currency.
The prize money that each of them got will reduce after tax and other deductions such as agent fees.
As for Wanyonyi, it is not yet clear whether he will take part in the Miami Grand Slam Track since he is a Challenger.
According to the organizers, it is not mandatory for Challengers like Wanyonyi to compete in all the four Grand Slam Track series that include Kingston, Miami, Philadelphia and Los Angeles.
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