Akala Garrett

Georgia freshman Adaejah Hodge did her best to put Ja’Kobe Tharp’s historic hurdles race out of viewers minds today on Day 2 of the NCAA NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. In the 100m, Hodge shattered Sha’Carri Richardson’s collegiate record with a 10.63 clocking, becoming the fifth-fastest woman ever in the process. A few hours later, she scorched the track again, leading all 200m qualifiers in 21.96, equalling the fastest single-day double in history.

In the 10,000m final, Iowa Stare freshman Mercyline Kirwa pulled off an incredible upset over Pamela Kosgei and Jane Hedengren, closing in 61.84 to win the NCAA title for the Cyclones. Hedengren, who finished third, will race again in Saturday’s 5000m final.

The women’s 800m prelims featured the fastest rounds we’ve ever seen, with 1:59.93 being required just to make the final. All of the 1500m favorites qualified, setting up the final we’ve all been waiting for. Akala Garrett, Aaliyah McCormick and Dejanea Oakley all posted fast qualifying times ahead of Saturday’s finals.

In the field, Amanda Moll established a new collegiate record in the outdoor pole vault at 4.84m, while Axelina Johansson (Shot put) and Alyssa Jones (Long jump) both notched championship records on their way to a title. Ben Barton (Decathlon), Elisabet Rut Runarsdottir (Hammer), and McKyla Van der Westhuizen (Javelin) all earned wins as well.

____________

Host: Paul Hof-Mahoney | ⁠@phofmahoney⁠

Produced by: Jasmine Fehr |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@jasminefehr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Today on "The Road To Hayward" is the U20 400mh World Champion Akala Garrett.

Akala is a fifteen-time individual state champion (yes, you read that right). She won the 100m hurdles and the 400m hurdles at the 2022 USATF U20 Outdoor Championships running 10.91 for the 100m hurdles and 57.47 for the 400m hurdles. She then went on to become the U20 World Champion a few weeks later. She won gold medals at the 2022 World Junior Championships in the 400 meters hurdles and the 4 × 400m relay.

At her state meet this year, she set new meet records in the 100-hurdles (13.52), 200-meter dash (24.25) and was part of the 1,600-meter relay team, which also set a new meet record (3:57.16). Garrett also ran 40.26 in the 300-hurdles, a new meet record and the fastest time in the nation this year.

Akala will return to the action at the 2023 Nike Outdoor National Meet, where she will defend her title in the 400m & 100m hurdles after winning both in dominant fashion last year.

In this conversation, Akala shares her story, journey to get to where she is today, having her mom as her coach, what her faith means to her, winning the U20 world championship in the 400mH, winning Nike Indoor Nationals, her ambitions for Nike Outdoor Nationals, and much more. If you're looking for an inspiring conversation with the top U20 hurdler in the world who is full of energy and wisdom, you'll love today's conversation.

You can listen wherever you find your podcasts by searching, "The Running Effect Podcast." If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. 

The podcast graphic was done by the talented: Xavier Gallo.

S H O W   N O T E S

-Nike Outdoor Nationals Info: ⁠⁠https://nikeoutdoornationals.runnerspace.com/⁠

-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠