The outdoor track season officially kicked off this weekend and it didn’t take long for the performances to showcase themselves. From rewriting All-Time lists, to breaking collegiate and National Records, 2026 is shaping up to be a fast year.

• National 10K Records Set at Sound Running The Ten 2026: Full Pro Results
• Masai Russell Headlines Stacked 100mH at Xiamen Diamond League
• Josh Kerr And Brooks To Target World Record Mile, Announce Project 222

Headlining the action was the men’s 10,000m at The TEN where a dramatic finish and multiple national records highlighted one of the deepest races of the weekend. Josh Kerr is giving us something to look forward to as we head into the Wanda Diamond League season, with his eyes set on breaking a 27-year-old world record in the mile. At the same time, sprinters have wasted no time building momentum with Mariah Maxwell and Shawnti putting in the work early in the season.

In case you missed it, check out our top five stories of the weekend.

5. Year of the 800?

The quick growth of the 800m has been one of the biggest trends in recent years. 

Dalilah Muhammad, one of the most decorated 400m hurdlers in history, stepped up in distance at the Clyde Hart Classic in Waco, Texas, racing her first 800m in over a decade.

She ran a personal best in a 2:04.51, to place second.

Muhammad, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and multi-time World Champion in the 400m hurdles, joins a growing list of elite hurdlers incorporating the 800m into their training and racing schedules.

Femke Bol recently spearheaded the trend, racing her first 800 during the indoor season, adding a sub 2:00 time to her resume.

Whether Muhammed is using the event as training, or testing her potential, she is setting the stage for what might be the year of the 800m. 

4. Mariah Moving Up in the Lists

Mariah Maxwell was another highlight from the Clyde Hart Classic, delivering a standout spring performance. 

In her outdoor debut, the high school standout ran 11.11 in the 100m, finishing second behind a two-time NCAA champion.

The time places Maxwell at No. 8 all-time in U.S. high school history, tying a list that includes 2026 NCAA champion Adaejah Hodge and four-time NCAA champion Angela Williams.

Her performance also puts her alongside her twin sister, Mia Maxwell, who already holds a top-six spot on the all-time list.

With her season just beginning, Maxwell has positioned herself as one of the top young sprinters to watch.

3. Collegiate Record in LSU Debut

A new uniform means immediate impact for Shawnti Jackson.

Jackson started her collegiate career at the University of Arkansas. With accolades including SEC freshman of the year, and two time 2x USTFCCCA Second Team All-American, Jackson made the decision to transfer to LSU for the 2025-26 year. 

In her first time putting on the Tiger’s uniform, she made history. At the Hurricane Collegiate Invitational, Jackson ran 35.89 in the 300m, setting a new collegiate record in the event.

While the 300m is not normally a standard championship distance, it serves as a key indicator for 400m potential. Jackson’s previous personal best of 52.10 in the 400m suggests that her record-setting performance could translate into even faster times this outdoor season.

Already a decorated collegiate athlete, Jackson’s debut performance signals a major step forward in her development.

2. Fast Future with Project 222

In a non-Olympic year, athletes take the opportunity to focus on their craft and their speed, to put themselves at the top of the record books.    

While records were falling on the track this weekend, Josh Kerr set his sights on one still standing.

The British star announced his goals for the outdoor season with “Project 222”: an attempt to break the mile world record in 3:42 (222 seconds).

The plan is for Kerr to attempt on his home turf at the London Diamond League. 

The current record of 3:43.13, set by Hicham El Guerrouj in 1999, has stood for more than two decades, making it one of the hardest records to break.

Kerr will work with his sponsor, Brooks, to make a custom kit, specifically designed for peak performance. They are also developing a spike designed specifically for Kerr’s biomechanics. 

Focusing on the time more than the race, everything will need to be perfect for the record books to be rewritten. 

If all goes to plan, this will mark Kerr’s first World Record. However, his immense winning experience and 1500m National Record will propel him toward new heights.

1. Tight Finish at The TEN

Mohamed Abdilaahi of Germany and Ky Robinson of Australia battled to the line for the 10k at Sound Running’s the TEN. The two battled for every sense of their 26-minute and 56-second race, finishing in one of the closest races of the night, separated by only 0.09 seconds. 

While they fought for the crown, they both were able to bring home a title for their home country. 

Abdilaahi shattered the German National Record, which was held by 1992 5,000m Olympic Champion Dieter Baumann. The previous record was set in 1997 in 27:21.53. The new record now stands at 26:56.98. 

The TEN has proven continuously to be a stage for National Records to be broken. In 2024, Jack Ryland set the Australian record in 27:09.57. Taking control over the Australian track scene, 24-year-old Ky Robinson became the new record holder on the same track. 

In his first professional 10k, Robinson brought the heat to the final of the race. The rookie placed fourth in the 5,000m at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, and is ready to continue his prominent professional career. 

While taking a third-place spot in the event, Mike Foppen of the Netherlands set his home country's National Record to round out the top three spots. His time of 27:20.52 broke the 24-year-old record, set back in 2002 by Kamiel Maase in 27:26.29.

Shelby Houlihan also ran the 10,000m at the TEN, earning a No. 10 stop on the US all-time list. With an original plan to break the American Record, her efforts in her 10,000m debut set her up for what will be a fast outdoor season. 

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