NY Alum Rai Benjamin Runs 10.03 For 100m In 2020 Race Debut


You could call the meet a "Contract Cleanser." Many of Nike's top Sprint Athletes assembled in Texas to run a variety of events, all to fulfill their required race appearances to mitigate any contract reductions for their current Sponsorship agreements. However, that didn't stop some of the World's Best to put on a show in events you might not typically see them in.

New York City born Michael Cherry put on a show in the never run 250m Dash, running 30.73, then coming back for a 300m in 33.86. Brianna Rollins, most noted for her Hurdle prowess, broke the World Best in the 150m, running 16.41.

However, the race that seemed to get the most attention, came in the Men's 100m. Training partners Michael Norman and Rai Benjamin squared off over the shortest Olympic Distance, with some astonishing results, especially for a Season Debut.

Benjamin, who holds the #2 in History over 400H, took second place in 10.03, with +1.6 tailwind. His previous Personal Best was a 10.40, run in a dual meet in College against Long Beach State. Despite his height, Benjamin excelled at the shorter distances in High School. While running for Mt. Vernon, Benjamin held a best of 10.66 for the 100m, and a 6.50 for the 60m dash Indoors.  Benjamin's new PB is the second fastest time ever run by a New Yorker, trailing only Chris Belcher's 9.93 run at the NCAA Champs in 2017.

The 100m race was won by Michael Norman, in an impressive 9.86. That off-the-cuff race nets Norman the 8th fastest time in American History, tying that of fellow Sprint Prodigy Noah Lyles. It also makes Norman the second fastest combined Sprinter in history over the 100m-200m-400m combination.