BRIGHTON, MASSACHUSETTS, February 02 — The world’s fastest woman is stretching her legs this indoor season by running past her comfort zone.
Julien Alfred opened her ‘25 campaign in the 300 at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, clocking 36.16, a St. Lucia record, to defeat training partner Dina Asher-Smith, who also had a PR at 36.87.
“I wanted to go faster, at least,” said Alfred, who competed in her first 300 since December 2022 and is now the No. 15 performer in history. “However, I’m satisfied. I’m healthy.”
Now she’ll go back to the 60, right? Nope.
“I love the 60,” Alfred said. “It’s one of my favorite events. I won’t be running it this year at all, unfortunately, just focusing on getting stronger.”
Alfred was undefeated in the 60 in ‘23 and ‘24. Last year she won the 60 world title in Glasgow en route to Olympic 100 gold and 200 silver. She won’t defend her world indoor title, but hopes to reach her first outdoor world podium — or podiums — after placing 4th (200) and 5th (100) in Budapest.
Alfred trailed Asher-Smith at 100, but powered into the lead on the final turn. Training with the Brit is always competitive, Alfred said. “Today felt like practice to me, seeing Dina on the outside and chasing her.”
Now Alfred faces an even steeper challenge. Coach Edrick Floréal wants her to race a 400, even though, she said, “it hurts a lot.”
Where? “I don’t want to say,” Alfred said with a bashful smile, then relented. “At Clemson (February 14).”
She hasn’t run individual 400s since 2018, but says of the longer races. “If it’s going to help my 200, then yeah, sure, I will do it.”
Gabby Thomas, who won the five previous 300 races in Boston, was part of the sell-out crowd of about 4000 at the TRACK at New Balance
Jacious Sears took the 60 in 7.11, coming back from the hamstring pull that ended her ‘24 season prematurely.
Masai Russell, Olympic champ at 100H, used her patented lean to win the 60H in a season-best 7.80. Just like in Paris, she won by 0.01, this time over a hard-charging Grace Stark. Devynne Charlton, the world champion and World Record holder, raced to a season-best 7.85.
“Do I practice my lean? No, it’s just like a part of my genes or something,” Russell said. “When it’s a close race, the only thing I know is to just do…
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