Masai Russell and Tara Davis-Woodhall shine at 115th Drake Relays

Olympic champions Masai Russell and Tara Davis-Woodhall deliver standout performances at the Drake Relays, building momentum ahead of the World Athletics Championships.

Masai Russell of the United States, the reigning Olympic 100m hurdles champion, wins the event at the 115th Drake Relays. Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Reigning Olympic champions Masai Russell and Tara Davis-Woodhall produced impressive performances at the 115th Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa, on Saturday, signaling strong early season form as they gear up for a busy international calendar. The two American stars, pivotal figures in track and field, secured victories in their respective events, thrilling the crowd and demonstrating their readiness for the upcoming World Athletics Championships.

Masai Russell and Tara Davis-Woodhall Drake Relays performances were among the standout moments at the prestigious meet, which served as an important tune-up event ahead of September’s global showdown in Tokyo.

Russell dominates the 100m hurdles

Masai Russell, a leading figure in the women’s sprint hurdles, continued to display her dominance, claiming victory in the women's 100m hurdles. Russell clocked a time of 12.74 seconds with a favorable 1.4 m/sec tailwind, finishing ahead of Bahamian sprinter Denisha Cartwright, who crossed the line in 12.93 seconds.

"It felt good," Russell said after her win. "It’s a little windy, so I was just glad to make it to the finish line first. I just wanted to stay tight, stay clean, and get it over the last five meters. I’m just getting that groove back so we can bring that momentum into the US championships and the worlds."

Russell’s display at the Drake Relays underlined her ambitions for the year, with her primary focus being to defend her title at the World Athletics Championships. Her smooth technique and controlled speed suggested she is well on track for a peak performance in Tokyo.

Davis-Woodhall takes long jump title

Meanwhile, Tara Davis-Woodhall captured the women’s long jump title, soaring to a mark of 6.75 meters. She outperformed compatriot Sydney Willits by a margin of 0.21 meters, mastering tricky conditions at Drake Stadium.

"I feel great," Davis-Woodhall said. "The wind was the most insane. The wind and me are not friends."

Despite battling challenging breezes, Davis-Woodhall’s consistency on the runway and her explosive takeoff allowed her to edge out the competition. Her win at the 115th Drake Relays reinforced her status as one of the top contenders heading into the summer’s major championships.

Barnes captures men's 400m

Jamaica’s Zandrion Barnes claimed the men's 400m title in an exciting finish. Barnes recorded a winning time of 45.29 seconds, edging American Khaleb McRae by just 0.09 seconds. Nigerian sprinter Chidi Okezie rounded out the podium with a third-place finish in 45.46 seconds.

Barnes’ victory at the Drake Relays added to an increasingly competitive men’s 400m field as athletes worldwide sharpen their form for the World Championships.

Ciattei and Gear complete Drake doubles

Two standout American middle-distance runners, Vincent Ciattei and Krissy Gear, completed memorable doubles at the Drake Relays, further emphasizing the strength of the US track and field program.

Vincent Ciattei, who narrowly missed making the US Olympic team last year by finishing fourth at the trials, captured the men's 1,500m in 3:39.49. Ciattei had earlier won the US one-mile road title in 3:55 earlier in the week and displayed superb tactical awareness to hold off countryman Damien Dilcher by half a second.

"Really great start to the season," Ciattei said. "It feels good to close a race that strong. I really felt relaxed in the middle. I really tried to focus on staying relaxed at speed. That was my only goal going in. I feel like I executed."

Krissy Gear added her own slice of history by winning the women's mile at the Drake Relays. Her time of 4:23.69 smashed the meet record set 50 years ago by Francie Larrieu Smith, who ran 4:40.2 in 1975. Gear had earlier captured the US one-mile title earlier in the week, cementing her reputation as one of America’s brightest distance talents.

"It's nice to come out on top," Gear said. "You're just racing. Who cares if it's 1,500m or a mile? I had a lot of fun."

Wilson, Kazimierska, and others shine

In the men’s 110m hurdles, De'vion Wilson of the United States delivered a confident performance, clocking 13.46 seconds to defeat compatriot Jamal Britt by 0.16 seconds. Wilson outlined ambitious goals for the season, stating he aims to break the 13-second barrier and secure a spot on the world team.

"Felt pretty smooth," Wilson said. "Just focused on staying into the hurdles, being aggressive, and it worked out."

Poland’s Klaudia Kazimierska, who finished 10th at last year’s Paris Olympics, took the women's 800m title, crossing the line in 2:02.03. American runner Mallory Lindaman followed closely behind in 2:02.75, showcasing the depth in the event.

Zimbabwe’s Ashley Miller earned a narrow victory in the women's 400m hurdles, posting a winning time of 56.07 seconds. Miller edged Barbados' Tia-Adana Belle by just 0.02 seconds, while Puerto Rico’s Grace Claxton claimed third place.

In the men's 400m hurdles, American Chris Robinson crossed the line first in 48.92 seconds, with James Smith II finishing second in 49.11 seconds.

Field events deliver thrilling finishes

The field events at the 115th Drake Relays were equally compelling, highlighted by Nigerian Charles Godfred’s triumph in the men's long jump. Godfred soared 8.13 meters, edging American Cameron Crump, who posted a solid 8.07-meter jump.

In the men's shot put, American Roger Steen delivered a clutch performance on his final attempt, launching the shot 21.62 meters to secure victory. Fellow American Tripp Piperi finished close behind with a throw of 21.52 meters, underscoring the competitive nature of the event.

The 115th Drake Relays served as a crucial early-season marker for many of the sport’s top athletes. With strong performances from Masai Russell and Tara Davis-Woodhall at the Drake Relays, along with a host of impressive results across the track and field events, competitors have laid important groundwork ahead of the U.S. championships and the World Athletics Championships later this year.

Masai Russell and Tara Davis-Woodhall Drake Relays victories highlighted not only their current form but also their potential to impact the global stage once again. As the countdown to Tokyo continues, the performances in Des Moines offered fans a tantalizing glimpse of the excitement still to come.