Track and field has long had a money problem—many athletes struggle to make ends meet until a sponsorship finally comes through. But what about those who never get one? How do they survive in a sport that demands so much and pays so little? To cover the high costs—training, travel, coaching, gear, recovery—many up-and-coming athletes have no choice but to work part-time jobs while chasing world-class dreams. But the tides may be turning. And for a 26-year-old American hurdler, GST’s $100,000 prize money could have changed their life, but..

Dylan Beard is living proof that hustle beats hype. The Baltimore native kicked off his 2025 season on April 5 with a huge statement, clocking 13.29 in the 110m hurdles to snag the first Grand Slam Track short hurdles win. No fancy gear deal, no shoe sponsor… just grit. He actually works at the deli counter of a Walmart in Atlanta, and get this—he raced wearing a Sam’s Club logo on his chest. They even made him a custom kit. But the real moment came the very next day—April 6—when it was all on the line.

Beard was this close to pulling it off. This was the race—the one that would decide whether he’d walk away with the full $100K Grand Slam Track prize. And… it didn’t go his way. Sasha Zhoya came flying down the track and snatched the Slam title with 20 points total, sealing it with a 10.55 win in the 100m. Beard clocked 10.67, landing third. Add that to the 12 points he earned from his earlier 110m hurdles win, and Beard finished with 18 points, just two shy. So Zhoya took home the $100K, while Beard walked away with $50K for second place. Still a huge win—but the dream? Not quite the one he pictured. His dream?

Before that race, this track and field shared his thoughts about whether he would have earned the $100k, “It would be really like chasing… like I don’t know what I would do with that much money. I probably would spend a good amount seeing LeBron James—that would be life-changing. I really don’t know what I would do with that, but it would be a blessed nav and honestly.”

Yeah, that’s a man who’s ready to blow a chunk of prize money just to sit courtside and watch greatness in real time. He didn’t end up taking the Grand Slam Track title, but second place still earned him a hefty $50K—and you know what that means? The dream is very much still in play.

Let’s break it down: courtside seats to a Lakers game run about $20K a pop on average. So technically, Dylan could lock in those dream seats to watch his hero and still have cash to spare. Sure, the race didn’t end with a $100K payday, but he’s still walking away with more than enough to catch the King up close. The win might’ve slipped through his fingers, but the dream? Still alive and dribbling at half court.

Wild to think about, though, right? Because not too long ago, this same guy was asking the track and field community for help—just trying to afford training and travel so he could chase this dream in the first place.

Tracl and field star Dylan turned struggle into a statement

Dylan Beard, the breakthrough came at the 2024 Millrose Games! There he stunned the field by winning the 60-meter hurdles in 7.44 seconds—the third-fastest time in the world that year. That race brought him into the national spotlight and punched his ticket to the U.S. Olympic Trials. But in track and field, dreams don’t come cheap. Between travel, training, gear, and competition costs, the expenses stack up fast.

So Dylan turned to the people, his community ” go fund me” for support. “That’s why I’m reaching out,” he shared. “With your help, I can focus on my training without worrying about the financial burden. Every contribution brings me one step closer to my dream of representing the U.S. at the Olympics.” And then? He delivered.

At the Olympic Trials in Eugene, Dylan blazed through the 110m hurdles prelims with a 13.19. But he didn’t make the final,though he made his presence known. After the disappointment he shared on his Instagram , “My first Olympic Trials didn’t unfold as I expected, but I’m forever grateful that God granted me the opportunity to compete against the best in the US.” From crowdfunding just to compete, to nearly making the Olympic team, Dylan’s is already one for the books. And who knows—if this is what he can do with limited resources, just imagine what’s next for him in track anf field.