Donavan Brazier is Really Back — 1:43.81 Win at Portland Track Festival
Tuohy & Hunter Get Wins as High Schoolers Powell & Tostenson Go 3:36
By Weldon JohnsonDonavan Brazier is really back.
One week after the 2019 World Champion made a long-awaited return to racing with a 1:44.70 at Toad Fest in Nashville, Tennessee, Brazier stepped on the line again—this time at the Portland Track Festival—and delivered a dominant performance.
Running in just his second race in nearly three years, Brazier was content to run in the pack the first 400m which he crossed in 5th in 52.74. But on the backstretch, he surged to the front and never looked back. Powering away around the final turn, Brazier stopped the clock at 1:43.81 thanks to a 51.07 final lap.
Watch Brazier’s race below (it should start at the right moment but if it doesn’t go to the 11:00 mark)
Men’s 800m Results
| Place | Athlete | Affiliation | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Donavan Brazier | Nike | 1:43.81 | SB |
| 3 | Kyle Reinheimer | Washington | 1:45.73 | |
| 4 | Justin O’Toole | Washington | 1:46.29 | PR |
| 6 | Olivier Desmeules | Canada | 1:46.82 | SB |
| 7 | Daniel Watcke | Villanova | 1:46.95 | |
| 8 | Tonatiu Lopez | HOKA | 1:47.29 | |
| 9 | John Rivera | Puerto Rico | 1:47.76 |
Brazier’s win was reminiscent of the Brazier of old and had fans speculating whether Brazier could make the team for the US at Worlds or even medal or win.
But making team USA is not guaranteed as his time today ranks him just fifth among Americans in 2025. Earlier in the day, world indoor champion Josh Hoey dropped a 1:42.43 at the Stockholm Diamond League meet to become the #3 American ever.
Fastest Americans in 2025 – Men’s 800m
| Rank | Time | Athlete | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1:42.43 | Josh Hoey | June 15 | Stockholm, SWE |
| 2 | 1:43.26 | Bryce Hoppel | May 16 | Doha, QAT |
| 3 | 1:43.32 | Jonah Koech | May 31 | Nairobi, KEN |
| 4 | 1:43.52 | Brandon Miller | May 25 | Rabat, MAR |
| 5 | 1:43.81 | Donavan Brazier | June 15 | Portland, OR |
After the race Brazier told LetsRun.com, “It felt great. It was a real warm welcoming back. It’s been a long time coming. It’s been surreal ’cause you know when you’re like in the trenches of this whole kind of recovery process you don’t ever think you’ll make it out at some points, but it’s it’s been a long time coming and I’m just grateful to be healthy and running again.”
Brazier said he has a better outlook on the sport now, “[I’m] Just smarter… I’m not so hard-headed about my workouts and my running days. If I’m not feeling great, I just don’t run and try not to exalt my body too much to the point where I’m injured.”
Other Highlights from the 2025 Portland Track Festival
Men’s 1500m: Fouad Messaoudi Dominates with 3:33.93, as High Schoolers Powell and Tostenson Run 3:36
Oklahoma State’s Fouad Messaoudi, the former indoor 3000 champ who was only 6th at NCAAs in the 5000, blew away the field with a 3:33.93 win. Behind him, high schoolers Owen Powell (3:36.49) and Josiah Tostenson (3:36.85) continued their breakout seasons.
Men’s 1500m Results
| Place | Athlete | Affiliation | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fouad Messaoudi | Oklahoma State University | 3:33.93 | PR |
| 2 | Ferenc Kovacs | Harvard | 3:34.79 | |
| 3 | Samuel Prakel | adidas | 3:35.28 | PR |
| 4 | Sam Ellis | ON | 3:35.40 | PR |
| 5 | Nick Plant | Virginia Tech | 3:35.57 | |
| 6 | Wes Porter | United States | 3:35.65 | |
| 7 | Alex Stitt | Oklahoma State University | 3:35.71 | PR |
| 8 | Elliott Cook | Unattached | 3:36.09 | |
| 9 | Josh Thompson | Nike | 3:36.35 | SB |
| 10 | Kieran Lumb | ON | 3:36.37 | |
| 11 | Owen Powell | Unattached | 3:36.49 | PR |
| 12 | Josiah Tostenson | Crater | 3:36.85 | PR |
| 13 | Cooper Cawthra | Texas A&M | 3:37.03 | |
| 14 | Derek Johnson | New Balance | 3:37.65 | |
| 15 | Lucas Bons | BYU | 3:39.31 |
Leo Young was 2nd in the “B” race in 3:35.96. Interview with him here.
Men’s 5000m: Drew Hunter Wins, Justyn Knight Returns
Drew Hunter outkicked Amon Kemboi to win the men’s 5000 in 13:14. Behind him, Justyn Knight ran his first 5000 in nearly 4 years with a 13:25. Olympic steeplechase medalist Kenneth Rooks placed 12th in 13:26, and World Championship 4th-placer Luis Grijalva took the B heat in 13:27.24.
Men’s 5000m Results
| Place | Athlete | Affiliation | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andrew Hunter | ASICS | 13:14.95 | |
| 2 | Amon Kemboi | Puma Elite Running | 13:15.22 | |
| 3 | Thomas Ratcliffe | Nike Swoosh TC | 13:16.56 | SB |
| 4 | Olin Hacker | HOKA NAZ Elite | 13:17.80 | |
| 5 | Sam Parsons | Tracksmith | 13:19.22 | PR |
| 6 | Kasey Knevelbaard | UA Dark Sky Distance | 13:20.63 | SB |
| 7 | Eric van der Els | ZAP Endurance | 13:25.00 | SB |
| 8 | Justyn Knight | Nike | 13:25.28 | |
| 9 | Theo Quax | New Zealand | 13:25.42 | SB |
| 10 | Said Mechaal | Suds Squad | 13:25.66 | |
| 11 | Acer Iverson | United States | 13:25.68 | |
| 12 | Kenneth Rooks | Nike | 13:26.65 | PR |
| 13 | James Mwaura | United States | 13:40.84 | |
| 14 | Ryan Ford | ZAP Endurance | 13:41.72 | |
| 15 | Tayvon Kitchen | Crater | 13:59.11 | PR |
B section: Luis Grijalva took the win in 13:27.24.
Women’s 5000m: Tuohy Dominant 15:04 Victory
Katelyn Tuohy dominated the end of the race to win in 15:04.07, just a second off her PR of 15:03.12
Women’s 5000m Results
| Place | Athlete | Affiliation | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Katelyn Tuohy | adidas | 15:04.07 | |
| 2 | Ella Donaghu | Nike Swoosh TC | 15:08.03 | |
| 3 | Katie Izzo | adidas | 15:08.54 | PR |
| 4 | Lucy Nodler Jenks | Enclave DC | 15:09.91 | |
| 5 | Regan Yee | UA Mission Run Dark Sky Distance | 15:10.61 | SB |
| 6 | Amaris Tyynismaa | UA Dark Sky Distance | 15:11.95 | PR |
| 7 | Jessica McClain | Brooks | 15:12.57 | |
| 8 | Courtney Frerichs | Nike | 15:13.65 | |
| 9 | Chloe Thomas | Brooks | 15:18.49 | |
| 10 | Everlyn Kemboi | United States | 15:20.24 | |
| 11 | Eleanor Baran | Union Athletics Club | 15:33.09 | |
| 12 | Annika Reiss | UA Dark Sky Distance | 15:40.95 |
Women’s 1500m: Sinclaire Johnson Wins
| Pl | Athlete | Affiliation | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sinclaire Johnson | Nike | 4:01.46 | |
| 2 | Simone Plourde | Nike | 4:03.83 | |
| 3 | Riley Chamberlain | BYU | 4:03.98 | |
| 4 | Grace Fetherstonhaugh | Canada | 4:06.76 | PR |
| 5 | Oliva Boone | Pro Bike & Run | 4:07.53 | PR |
| 6 | Katie Camarena | Saucony | 4:07.92 | PR |
| 7 | Jaylah Hancock-Cameron | Australia | 4:08.12 | PR |
| 8 | Sadie Sargent | Nike Swoosh TC | 4:08.39 | PR |
| 9 | Lorena Rangel Batres | Mexico | 4:08.90 | PR |
| 10 | Christina Aragon | Nike | 4:09.29 | |
| 11 | Flomena Asekol | ON | 4:09.43 | |
| 12 | Gracie Hyde | Puma | 4:13.77 | |
| 13 | Izzy Thornton-Bott | Pacific Athletics | 4:15.48 | SB |
| — | Jenn Randall | Pacific Athletics | DNF |
Women’s 800m: Jessica Hull Dips Under 1:59
| Pl | Athlete | Affiliation | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jessica Hull | Nike | 1:58.69 | |
| 2 | Samantha Watson | adidas | 2:00.73 | |
| 3 | Kaylie Politza | Oklahoma State | 2:00.94 | PR |
| 4 | Honour Finley | USA | 2:01.26 | |
| 5 | MaLeigha Menegatti | USA | 2:01.92 | PR |
| 6 | Sadi Henderson | USA | 2:02.38 |
Women’s 800m “B” Race: Raevyn Rogers Returns with 2:00.45 Win
World and Olympic medalist Raevyn Rogers won the B heat in 2:00.45, a marked improvement on the 2:05.14 she ran at Mt. Sac in April.
Men’s 800m “B” Race: Tuohy’s Brother Shines With 1:46.01 Win
Katelyn Tuohy’s brother, Patrick Tuohy, won the B section of the men’s 800m in a big PR of 1:46.01.
It’s pretty nuts he’s running 1:46.
- 2022 (Fordham): 1:54 PB
- 2023: No recorded results
- 2024 (Unattached): 1:48.16
- 2025 (NC State grad student): 1:46.98 indoors (2nd ACCs) → 1:46.60 at NCAA East → missed NCAA final → 1:46.01 tonight
Post-race interviews from Portland here.
*Full Portland Track Festival Results here
Portland Track Festival Day 1 Results UA Dark Sky’s Isaac Updike (8:13) and Gracie Hyde (9:24) won the steeplechases. NAZ Elite’s Abby Nichols (31:52) took the women’s 10,000m.
Discussion: DONNY MF BRAZIER: In case you weren’t convinced. He’s officially, officially back. 1:43.81 negative split
Full video of main races below:
