USATF OUTDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS | DAY 4 REACTION SHOW: DONAVAN BRAZIER IS BACK, NOAH LYLES & KENNY BEDNAREK BEEFING + COLE HOCKER BEATS GRANT FISHER

The next time someone complains that track and field is boring, tell them about August 3, 2025.

Today's epic conclusion to the 2025 USATF Outdoor Championships were so packed to the gills with drama that it extended beyond the start and finish lines. You want rivalries? Got ‘em. Records? check. Emotions? Certainly. Controversy? You bet.

After finishing a surprise third in the 1500m, the event that delivered an Olympic title, Cole Hocker found redemption in the 5000m, where he closed off a slow early pace in an astonishing 51.76 seconds to win his first U.S. title in the longer event. NCAA champion Roisin Willis won her first U.S. senior title in the 800m a few steps after national leader Addy Wiley got tripped up.

Two World champions weren’t even present for their event finals: Grant Holloway qualified for the 110m hurdles final but, for the third time in his career, leaned on his wild card entry to Worlds and skipped the last round of racing. Sha’Carri Richardson missed qualifying for the final of the 200m by 0.01 seconds, but her training partner Melissa Jefferson-Wooden added a second U.S. title to her resume with a personal-best 21.84 run.

Behind Jefferson-Wooden and runner-up Anavia Battle, who’s having a helluva season of her own, the last spot on the 200m team couldn’t have been tighter. The three women who represented Team USA at the Paris Olympics were all credited with a 22.20 finish, meaning the critical result came down to one thousandth of a second as Gabby Thomas (22.197) barely beat out Brittany Brown (22.198) and McKenzie Long (22.199).

And yet somehow, that wasn’t even the most dramatic 200m race of the day. In the men’s final, Noah Lyles defended his title over Kenny Bednarek in a world-leading 19.63 to Bednarek’s 19.67, but a little post-race shoving and strongly-worded jawing occurred in plain sight of the TV cameras and Hayward fans. It’s safe to say that Lyles and Bednarek are friendly rivals — except for the friendly part.

__________

Hosts: ⁠⁠Chris Chavez⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Eric Jenkins⁠⁠, Aisha Praught-Leer, Paul Hof-Mahoney⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠Anderson Emerole⁠⁠

Produced by: ⁠⁠Mac Fleet⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠Jasmine Fehr⁠⁠

__________

Find everything you need to know about the 2025 USATF Outdoor Championships here:

Listen: Day 3 Recap Show

Listen: Day 2 Recap Show

Listen: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Day 1 Recap Show⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CITIUS MAG Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Read: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Distance preview⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠Sprints + hurdles preview⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠Throws + heptathlon preview⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠Jumps + decathlon preview⁠⁠⁠⁠

__________

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

OLIPOP: Olipop is a prebiotic soda that tastes like a throwback to your favorite childhood drinks, but it's loaded with benefits that your body will thank you for. Each can has 2-5g of sugar, 6-9g of fiber, and a science-backed formula designed to help you support your digestive health. They've got plenty of flavor options like Classic Root Beer, Crisp Apple, Grape, Cream Soda and wild hits like Peaches and Cream. You can grab Olipop at Target, Whole Foods, and Walmart or you can go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DrinkOlipop.com and use promo code CITIUS25 at checkout for 25% off all of your orders⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

NEW BALANCE: The FuelCell Rebel v5 was built to feel fast—and look the part. With a sleek, race-inspired mesh upper and lightweight PEBA/EVA foam blend, it offers a responsive, energetic ride that’s ideal for everything from steady miles to speedwork. A redesigned heel and added forefoot rubber provide comfort and traction, making this your go-to for runs when you want to pick up the pace. The Rebel V5 shows up every time. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Find the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 at newbalance.com or your local running shop today.⁠⁠⁠⁠