"I’m actually very excited to sign with Grand Slam Track because I really enjoy racing. Time trialing is fun and all, but I’ve run 12:50 in the 5K, and there’s only so much of a difference between 12:40 and 12:50. I figure at this point in my career, it’s not the world record, I just want to compete and I just want to race."

Two-time Guatemalan Olympian and national record holder Luis Grijalva has signed with Grand Slam Track ahead of the professional track league’s inaugural season in 2025.

Grijalva joins Grand Slam Track as the third Racer in the “long distance” category that will contest the 3000m and 5000m at each respective Slam. He will be joined by 5000m Olympic silver medalist Ronald Kwemoi and 5000m and 10,000m Olympic bronze medalist Grant Fisher.

Grijalva finished fourth in the 5000m at the 2022 and 2023 World Championships and ran a personal best of 12:50.58 at the Oslo Diamond League in May. He owns a 3000m personal best of 7:29.43 from the 2023 Prefontaine Classic and finished third in the 3000m at this year’s Stockholm Diamond League in a season’s best of 7:33.96.

In this episode, Grijalva joins Chris Chavez to break down why he signed with the league, why he’s excited for it, and what he’s looking forward to most heading into next year.

Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram

Guest: Luis Grijalva | @luisgrijalva_ on Instagram

Time Stamps:

5:01 - What he’s most excited about with joining Grand Slam Track.

7:47 - Perspective on championship racing vs. rabbited races.

11:19 - How GST will help prepare athletes for global Championships.

14:42 - Thoughts on GST’s prize money.

17:18 - Thoughts on his GST competitors + other athletes he wants to see join.

20:11 - What sets GST apart from other competitions.

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