INDIANAPOLIS — Running the sixth fastest time ever by an American in the men's 400 hurdles, Rai Benjamin (Bronxville, New York/USATF New York) earned recognition as the 24th USATF Athlete of the Week award winner for 2024. It was the second time this year that Benjamin was recognized for his achievements. At the Monaco Diamond League meet, Benjamin outraced reigning Olympic and world champion and world record holder Karsten Warholm of Norway and 2022 world champ Alison dos Santos of Brazil to clock 46.67 for the win. The 26-year-old Benjamin now holds the six top times ever by an American, and nine of the top 10. Undefeated in three meets this season, Benjamin has run sub-47 in all three outings, winning the Olympic Trials in a season best 46.46. He has now defeated Warholm and dos Santos twice in a row including his win at last year's Prefontaine Classic. Other top performances from last week:
Annie Rodenfels won the USATF women's 6K Championships by 13 seconds in 18:03 at Canton, Ohio. It was her second USATF national title after winning the 5K in New York last fall.
Christian Allen won the men's USATF Mountain Running Championships in Snowbird, Utah, by more than 45 seconds with a 1:18:17.24 clocking.
Grayson Murphy was the women's winner at the USATF Mountain Running Championships, taking the victory by more than four minutes in 1:36:17.58.
Quincy Hall became the No. 9 all-time U.S. men's 400 performer with his world-leading 43.80 win at the Monaco Diamond League meet.
Cory McGee bettered the American record in the women's 2000 at the Monaco Diamond League meet, running 5:28.78 to clip almost four seconds off the ratified record of 5:32.7 set by Mary Slaney in 1984.
Now in its 23rd year, USATF’s Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week when there are high-level competitions and features the athlete on USATF.org. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week. 2024 Winners: January 17, Weini Kelati; January 24, Cooper Teare; January 31, Nico Young; February 7, Fiona O'Keeffe; February 14, Elle St. Pierre; February 21, Grant Holloway; February 28, Jalani Davis; March 6, Elle St. Pierre; March 13, Rachel Glenn; March 20, Grant Fisher; March 27, Myrle Mensey; April 3, Jordan Davis; April 10, Hillary Bor; April 17, Jacious Sears; April 24, Christian Miller; May 1, Payton Otterdahl; May 8, Gabby Thomas; May 15, Ja'Kobe Tharp; May 22, Rai Benjamin; May 29, Joe Kovacs; June 5, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone; June 12, McKenzie Long; July 10, Valarie Allman; July 17, Rai Benjamin. We welcome your nominations! To nominate an athlete for USATF Athlete of the Week, please send a detailed email about their performance to communications@usatf.org. Join the conversation with USATF on X, Instagram, and Facebook using the hashtag #USATF.