In a race that will be remembered as one of the greatest moments in the history of women’s sprint hurdles, American Masai Russell stunned the track and field world by clocking an electrifying 12.17 seconds in the 100m hurdles at a meet in Miami. Not only did the performance establish a new American record, but it also made Russell the second-fastest woman in history over the distance. Just behind her, compatriot Tia Jones ran a scintillating 12.19, securing second place in what became the first race ever to feature two women finishing under 12.20.
This groundbreaking result sent shockwaves across the global track community. Russell, the reigning NCAA champion and now Olympic hopeful, delivered a near-perfect race. Her explosive start, flawless technique over the barriers, and relentless drive to the finish line culminated in a performance that rewrote the American record books. She now trails only Kendra Harrison on the all-time list, whose world record of 12.20 stood as the American benchmark until today.
What made the race even more special was the high level of competition and the sense of history unfolding in real time. Tia Jones, herself a rising star in the event, crossed the line just two hundredths of a second behind Russell with an equally jaw-dropping time of 12.19. That mark places her as the joint third-fastest woman ever in the event, tied with former world record holder Yordanka Donkova of Bulgaria.
The Miami meet, already drawing attention for its stacked fields, became the epicenter of track and field excellence. And the women’s 100m hurdles delivered the highlight of the day—perhaps even the season so far. For Russell, this performance wasn’t just a personal milestone; it was a clear message to the rest of the world that she’s ready to contend for Olympic gold in Paris this summer.
Both Russell and Jones are part of an incredibly deep pool of American hurdlers, and their performances have added another layer of excitement to the upcoming U.S. Olympic Trials. With Olympic champion Jasmine Camacho-Quinn (representing Puerto Rico), world leader Devynne Charlton (Bahamas), and several other top contenders in the mix globally, the road to Paris will be fiercely competitive. Still, with times like these, Russell and Jones have firmly established themselves as frontrunners.
What made the moment even more iconic was the historical significance: never before had two women run under 12.20 in the same race. This unprecedented achievement elevates the status of both athletes and cements this race as one of the greatest duels in hurdles history.
As the track world heads into a summer packed with championships and Olympic anticipation, one thing is certain: Masai Russell and Tia Jones have turned the women’s 100m hurdles into must-watch television. Their historic Miami clash isn’t just a highlight of the season—it’s a defining moment in the evolution of the sport.