The track-and-field community is buzzing with excitement, and for good reason—Athlos, the women-only track meet that took the sport by storm last year, seems to be on the verge of something big. Fans are already speculating that the event might be up to something new, probably a move that would shake up its existing format in a major way. With the next Athlos NYC event scheduled for October 10, 2025, at Icahn Stadium, the anticipation is palpable. Could this be the game-changer fans have been waiting for?

Well, on April 27, 2025, Athlos dropped a cryptic post on X that sent the internet into a frenzy. The image shows a sandpit being meticulously raked, a clear nod to field event preparation—think long jump or triple jump. Accompanying the visual was a teaser caption: “Special announcement. Tomorrow. You ready?”.  The post, which has already sparked significant chatter, seems to confirm what many have been hoping for: an expansion of Athlos’ format. But what exactly does this mean for the future of the event?

To understand the significance of this potential shift, let’s look at what Alexis Ohanian, the Reddit co-founder behind Athlos, has said about reforming track and field. Ohanian has been vocal about his mission to elevate women’s sports, and Athlos is a key part of that vision. Following the inaugural event on September 26, 2024, which drew 3 million viewers across platforms like X, Instagram, YouTube, and ESPN+, Ohanian said, “If you can pull off an event here in New York that New Yorkers say is one of the best events they’ve been to in sports and culture, you’re doing something right.”

He also emphasized the need to focus on women athletes, saying, “These ladies are the best. They’re the fastest in the world, and people show up and show out for people in cars and people riding horses going fast. I’m talking about humans, you know, no accessories required.” With such a clear commitment to innovation, could the addition of field events be the next step in his plan to revolutionize the sport?

Athlos 2024 set the stage

The 2024 Athlos event was a track-only affair, featuring six distances—from the 100-meter hurdles to the 1500 meters—and showcased 35 athletes from 14 countries, including 30 Olympians. Stars like Masai Russell, the 2024 Olympic gold medalist in the 100m hurdles, and Marileidy Paulino, the 2024 Olympic 400m champion, took center stage.

The meet also made history with the largest purse ever for a women’s track event, offering $60,000 to race winners—double the $30,000 awarded at the Diamond League finale. This commitment to high prize purses underscores Ohanian’s goal of addressing the sport’s inequities. Now, with the sandpit image hinting at field events, Athlos seems poised to broaden its scope, potentially bringing in new talent like long jumpers or triple jumpers to complement its roster of sprinters and distance runners. What impact might this have on the event’s appeal and legacy?

Adding field events could take Athlos to new heights, both in terms of fan engagement and competitive diversity. The 2024 event already proved that track can thrive in America, with its innovative format that included a total prize purse of $500,000 across the six events. Beyond the money, the meet blended sport and entertainment with Tiffany & Co. crowns for winners, a 30% revenue share for athletes (a first in the sport), and a headliner performance by Megan Thee Stallion that “perfectly captured the spirit of speed and sound,” according to the official website.

Introducing field events like the long jump, which are visually spectacular and often produce record-breaking moments, could draw even more viewers and solidify Athlos as a must-watch spectacle. With the announcement set for April 28, 2025, fans are on the edge of their seats. Will Athlos deliver on this tease and set a new standard for women’s track and field?