Lyles, Hall, and Tinch Launch Indoor Season in Boston
Boston is set to kick off the indoor athletics season with the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix on Saturday, January 24. This prestigious event serves as the first World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold meeting of 2026, showcasing a lineup of world and Olympic champions. Athletes will use this competition as a springboard toward the upcoming World Athletics Indoor Championships in Kujawy Pomorze scheduled for March.
Key Events and Competitors
This year’s event features several thrilling races, including the highly anticipated men’s 300m. Athletes competing include:
- Noah Lyles – Olympic 100m champion and four-time world 200m champion
- Jereem Richards – 2022 world indoor 400m champion
- Trayvon Bromell – 2016 world indoor 60m champion
- Vernon Norwood – multiple global relay gold medallist
Lyles will open his season this weekend, aiming to improve his personal best of 31.87, which previously held the world indoor best record. Richards currently holds the meeting record at 32.10, and there is potential for both records to be challenged.
Men’s 600m Highlights
The men’s 600m race will feature a strong lineup, including:
- Donavan Brazier – 2019 world champion and previous meeting record holder
- Bryce Hoppel – 2024 world indoor champion
- Cian McPhillips – fourth at last year’s World Championships with an Irish outdoor record of 1:42.15
Josh Hoey, the recent world short track best holder for the 600m, will compete separately in Boston, bringing exceptional form into the competitions.
Women’s Hurdles and Sprints
The women’s 60m hurdles will see a showdown between Jamaica’s Danielle Williams and Devynne Charlton from The Bahamas, both holding two world titles. Williams enters the competition as the early season leader, clocking 7.94 seconds recently.
The men’s 60m hurdles features world champion Cordell Tinch taking on Olympic silver medallist Daniel Roberts. Additionally, Ackeem Blake and Dina Asher-Smith will lead the men’s and women’s 60m sprints, respectively.
400m Race Dynamics
Among the intriguing narratives, Olympic relay champion Quincy Wilson, who recently turned 18, will continue to make waves in the men’s 400m. He previously achieved a world U18 short track best of 45.66 in Boston last year.
World heptathlon champion Anna Hall will also participate in the women’s 400m and the long jump, joining an elite field that includes Olympic bronze medallist Jasmine Moore.
Distance Events Expectations
Distance races will not disappoint fans. The men’s 2000m features 2022 world 1500m champion Jake Wightman, alongside Olympic bronze medallist Grant Fisher. The women’s 1500m will highlight world silver medallist Dorcus Ewoi and US mile record-holder Sinclaire Johnson.
The competition promises an exhilarating start to the indoor season, with a mix of explosive sprints and strategic distance races. Records stand vulnerable as Boston prepares for an electrifying day of athletics at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix.
