Nikki Hiltz wins US Championships 1,500m title once again
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Jul 23, 2026; New York, NY, USA; Nikki Hiltz and Gracie Morris un in a women's 1,500m heat during the USATF Championships at Icahn Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
REUTERS
American Nikki Hiltz breaking the tape ahead of third-placed compatriot Emily Mackay to win the women’s 1,500m at the 2026 US Championships in New York on July 25.
PHOTO: AFP
NEW YORK – Nikki Hiltz survived a three-way sprint finish to win a fourth successive outdoor US national 1,500m title in New York on July 25, draping the transgender flag around the shoulders as a pioneer for non-binary athletes.
Nearly full stands were a welcome sight after two days of muted attendances at Icahn Stadium, as the national championships lacked drama in an off year without the Olympics or world championships.
Hiltz, who uses they/them pronouns, delivered the most exciting performance of the night in the women’s 1,500m, breaking the tape after a superb tactical run in 4min 6.92sec.
Stuck in second around the final turn, the 31-year-old slipped around the outside of Addison Wiley (4:06.96) down the final straight, and held off a late charge from Emily Mackay (4:06.98) before basking in the roar of the crowd.
“I love this city. My mum’s from Long Island, so I feel like a little part of me is from here,” said Hiltz.
But it was Hiltz’s grandmother being in the audience that motivated the runner over the final strides.
“She doesn’t come to a lot of meets, so I had to perform,” Hiltz said. “That last 50 I told myself this is for grandma.”
Nathan Green won the men’s 1,500m in 3:50.27.
The championships came to New York for the first time since 1991 and the city’s Mayor Zohran Mamdani was in attendance to celebrate the occasion, holding the tape for the women’s 100m ambulatory final, which Brittni Mason won in 12.16 seconds.
Dalilah Muhammad, born and raised in New York, did enough to win her women’s 400m hurdles heat in 54.80sec, a year after she was widely expected to call time on her career.
“This is actually the first time ever I've had the opportunity (to be) racing here as a pro,” said the 36-year-old, who won gold at the 2016 Olympics. “I just had to be here.”
Aaliyah Butler got out fast and was all by herself going around the final turn of the women’s 400m flat, crossing the line in 49.93sec well ahead of Alexis Holmes (50.47sec) to win her first national title. The 2025 indoor champion Christopher Bailey won the men’s 400m flat in 44.39sec with Khaleb McRae (44.41sec) second.
Alia Armstrong won the women’s 100m hurdles with her best performance of the season in 12.38sec, in the absence of 2024 Olympic champion Masai Russell, who has lit up the Diamond League circuit in 2026.
A day after clinching the men’s 100m title, Noah Lyles ran a comfortable 20.51sec to win his 200m heat ahead of second-placed Kyree King (20.71sec).
“The legs are tired,” Lyles said. “But that’s what the prelims are for. By the end of the day, I’ll have gotten my rest, seen my medical crew and we’ll be ready for the final.” REUTERS, AFP
