Josh Hoey at the US Indoor Championships in New York (© Getty Images)
Josh Hoey ran the second-fastest indoor 800m of all time, clocking 1:43.24 to improve on his own North American record at the US Indoor Championships in Staten Island, New York, on Sunday (23).
Hoey has had a remarkable season which has seen him capture wins over 800m in New York, 1500m in Boston and 1000m in Philadelphia, all in personal best times. After a comfortable run in his heat on Saturday evening, Hoey returned on Sunday for the final and took command of the field early on. Despite a small challenge at the break, he led from start to finish, sprinting down the final straight knowing he was heading to a record mark.
Hoey now owns the second- and fourth-fastest performances of all time in the indoor 800m, and sits behind only Wilson Kipketer with his 28-year-old world record of 1:42.67. Hoey now has his eyes set on next month’s World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, for which the meeting in New York served as the US team selection event.
The women’s 800m saw Nia Akins win the title in an indoor personal best of 1:59.31, a mark that places her third in the world this year. Akins sat in third place entering the final lap, but a finishing kick in the final metres secured the win and a trip to her first World Indoor Championships.
Kessler and Hiltz complete 1500m and 3000m doubles
No more than 15 minutes after Hoey’s amazing performance in the 800m, the men’s and women’s 1500m saw Hobbs Kessler and Nikki Hiltz both complete distance doubles for the weekend.
On Saturday, world road mile champion Kessler had a thrilling finish in the 3000m to secure the win in 7:38.00, a meeting record that was just two hundredths of a second ahead of Dylan Jacobs’ second place finish (7:38.02). Kessler returned on Sunday to take a more commanding win in the 1500m. This time, he led from start to finish, winning his second title of the weekend in 3:38.82.
World indoor silver medallist Hiltz also had a close finish to the 3000m to claim the US title in 8:48.28, just ahead of Shelby Houlihan (8:48.43). Hiltz sat in about fourth place for the first 2000m, but with a lap remaining and Houlihan leading the field, Hiltz made a move and with a stellar kick moved to the front in the final metres. Hiltz doubled back on Sunday to claim the 1500m title with similar tactics. The final two laps saw Hiltz, Sinclaire Johnson and Heather MacLean all vying for the top spot, but at the bell Hiltz separated from the field, winning in 4:05.76.
After their races, both Kessler and Hiltz confirmed they will not be attending the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, instead choosing to prepare for the long 2025 outdoor season.
Russell and Holloway impress in hurdles
On Saturday evening, Grant Holloway and Masai Russell lit up the track bringing home titles in the 60m hurdles.
Masai Russell wins the 60m hurdles at the US Indoor Championships (© Getty Images)
Olympic champion and two-time world indoor champion Holloway commanded the field from start to finish, securing the win in 7.36. That equalled the world lead he set just a week prior in Lievin, France. Holloway, who looks to defend his world indoor title in Nanjing, has remained undefeated in the event for more than 10 years.
Olympic champion Russell continued her undefeated 2025 season by winning a highly competitive race. Her world-leading time of 7.74 held off a close challenge from fellow Olympian Grace Stark (7.76). They were followed closely behind by Christina Clemons (7.81) who was the 2018 world indoor silver medallist in the event. Russell has stated she does not intend to compete in Nanjing next month.
In the men’s 60m, Ronnie Baker will make his return to the World Indoor Championships after clocking 6.52 to win his first US indoor title. Baker won a bronze medal at the 2018 edition of the World Indoor Championships and after injury setbacks in recent years he is looking to get back on the podium. On the women’s side, Celera Barnes pulled an upset in a close race, winning in 7.11, just three thousandths ahead of world leader Jacious Sears, who was also given a time of 7.11.
Olympic champion Alexis Holmes successfully defended her US indoor title in the 400m, winning the race in 50.51. Holmes claimed bronze at the 2024 World Indoor Championships and is looking to upgrade that in Nanjing. Her fellow Olympic 4x400m champion Chris Bailey captured the men’s 400m title in 45.21 in what was a contentious and bumpy race. Bailey currently leads the world with his mark of 44.70 from two weeks ago in Arkansas.
Nichols soars to long jump title
In the field events, world indoor silver medallist Monae’ Nichols claimed the title of US long jump champion with a sixth-round jump of 6.73m, while Will Williams took first place honours on the men’s side. Chase Jackson will make her third appearance at the World Indoor Championships after winning the shot put with a best of 19.65m.
World champion Katie Moon beat her competition in the pole vault, securing the US title with a mark of 4.80m, though she indicated she will not travel to Nanjing for the World Indoors, instead opting to prepare for the outdoor season.
In the triple jump, Olympic bronze medallist Jasmine Moore took the win on the women’s side, while James Carter claimed the men’s triple jump title. Vashti Cuningham high jumped her way to a ninth US indoor title with a mark of 1.94m.
Anderson Emerole for World Athletics
