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After making its debut last year, ATHLOS NYC returned in 2025 with more energy and support than ever. From thrilling track races to ATHLOS’ first-ever long jump competition in Times Square, the meet once again turned the track into an electrifying stage for women.
Launched in 2024, ATHLOS NYC is the first professional all-women’s track and field meet. ATHLOS was launched to highlight women’s track and field every year—not just Olympic years.
“When you have superstars with millions of followers who can drive attention, it doesn’t make sense to me that they would disappear in between the Olympics,” ATHLOS founder Alexis Ohanian says.
This year, 36 elite women athletes took to the track to compete for prize money, Tiffany crowns, and the love of the game. ATHLOS is redefining what representation looks like in women’s sports—uniting Olympians, rising stars, and fans who believe in the power of giving women the spotlight they deserve.
Athletes Who Defined the Moment
This year’s ATHLOS lineup featured a mix of Olympic champions, rising stars, and comeback stories. Women pushed the limits of performance and embodied the spirit of resilience, joy, and authenticity that defines the meet.
The Heart of ATHLOS
Lighting up Times Square during ATHLOS’ first-ever long jump event, Tara Davis-Woodhall turned the competition into a celebration. With her signature energy highlighted by the city lights, she took the win with a mark of 7.13 meters. Davis-Woodhall credited her performance to the electric support of the crowd and the ATHLOS founders for including her event in the meet.
ATHLOS is giving athletes once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. “Long jump has been in the streets before, we’ve had street meets before... but never in a lifetime would I ever expect to be jumping in the middle of Times Square,” Davis-Woodhall says.
“I’m just glad that we’re on the brink of history”
The Advocate and Fighter
The 100 meters was highlighted by a statement performance from Olympian and VIS Mentor Brittany Brown. With a perfectly timed lean at the line, Brown edged out Jacious Sears to take the win in 10.99.
Behind the scenes, though, Brown has been fighting a far greater battle: endometriosis. Over the past year, she’s learned to tune into both her mind and body while training. “You really begin to learn how to trust yourself and trust your intuition and trust what your body is telling you, and trust the movements that are going on when the gun is going off,” Brown says.
Brown is offering a free Mentorship session for any girl who attended ATHLOS—a testament to her commitment to driving the sport forward.
“I’m fearless, I’m strong, and I’m powerful.”
The Comeback Story
The 800 meters turned into a thrilling showdown between teammates Georgia Bell and Keely Hodgkinson, with Hodgkinson taking the win in a meet record time of 1:56.53. After battling injuries earlier this year, Hodgkinson’s journey back to the track has been one of resilience. She not only captured the 2025 World Championship title, but also ended her season on a high with the ATHLOS crown.
“There’s so many personalities in the sport and there’s so many stories to tell,” Hodgkinson said before the race. “We’ve only been here two days, but you guys have made us feel really valuable,” she added, referencing the ATHLOS team and fans.
Power and Presence in the Mile
Despite chasing down an early lead from defending champion Gudaf Tsegay, Faith Kipyegon once again proved why she’s one of the greatest middle-distance runners in history. Her composure, confidence, and grit carried her to victory in 4:17.78. Commentator and former tennis champion Serena Williams noted that what makes Kipyegon especially inspiring isn’t just her dominance on the track, but her ability to balance it all as a mother.
Another strong presence finishing third behind Kipyegon and Tsegay was Nikki Hiltz, who brought their own kind of power to the track. Known for using their platform to advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, Hiltz emphasized how events like ATHLOS encourage athletes to show up as their full selves, both on and off the track.
“We want to leave this sport better than we found it and build it so the next generation has it.”
“I hope it just continues to grow and inspires more leagues or more people to invest in a league like this,” they said in a pre-race interview. “All of us athletes just want to leave the sport better than we found it and build it so the next generation has it.”
More than a competition, ATHLOS is redefining what visibility means in women’s sports. Each of these athletes brought her own story to the track, showing young girls everywhere that ATHLOS isn’t just about records or medals—it’s about rewriting the narrative for women in sport and inspiring the next generation to dream even bigger.
