“Homey” Icahn Stadium Is Set To Host USATF’s Biggest Meet Of The Year

The last time Violet Hall was in New York was when she was 8 years old.

Her return will come this weekend when the sprinter and long jumper from Bloomington, Indiana, competes in four events at the 2026 Toyota USA Track & Field Outdoor & Para National Championships at Icahn Stadium on picturesque Randall’s Island in the heart of New York City.

It’s been a long track-and-field season for Hall. Her high school team placed second in the state meet and the game plan for nationals, running Thursday through Sunday, is to cap off her personal season with her best effort.

Hall has never been to Icahn Stadium, which seats 5,000 fans. As far as she’s concerned, a track is a track. 

“Four hundred meters is 400 meters at the end of the day,” she said. “I’ve ran it 100 times, if not more. I’ve ran tons of races before and I try to take it as another race, no matter how big it is.”

If you’re going as a fan, the address is 10 Central Road, under the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge (formerly the Triborough Bridge). But there are many roads that lead to the venue, according to Icahn Stadium director Lou Vazquez. For example, you could take the Bronx Connector.

Anyone who attends will get a chance to see the efforts of some of the best athletes in the country.

That includes shot putter and discus thrower Anthony Pone. Like Hall, he’s never been to Icahn Stadium, and the last time he was in New York was about a decade ago.

“I’m happy to go back because I’m closer to my family,” he said of his kin in Philadelphia. “This is my one time I get to see my family and they get to see me compete.”

That’s a great feeling, but it is an important meet, marking the second time able-bodied and Para athletes have combined for nationals. 

Not surprisingly, Pone is locked in mentally on what he needs to do at Icahn Stadium.

“I’m just thinking about recalling my performances all through the season, not focusing on where I could have been better,” he said. 

Pone noted he’s got specific cues he’ll home in on: Being strapped down properly in his wheelchair and getting his guide arm over and breath work. That will help him focus on the trajectory of his throws.

Jasmine Burrell is Pone’s coach, and she’s pumped about being there as well, because even though she’s never been to Icahn Stadium, nationals will be a sort of homecoming for her and her athletes.

“It looks like an entertaining space,” she said. “I’m looking forward to seeing the athletes and their hard work pay off. It’s going to be cool experience for a lot of people, including me. Seeing everybody together is always so fun.”

Vazquez said the amenities at Icahn Stadium are substantial. There’s not only a great view of Manhattan, but “we have some beautiful sunsets.” It’s also a slightly smaller venue than Hayward Field at the University of Oregon, where nationals took place a year ago, making it more intimate and in Vazquez’s word, “homey.”

But the biggest perk is that the stadium features a World Athletics Class 1 Certified Track, the very best there is. 

As far as Para athletes getting around, including to and from hotels, Vazquez said he and his team have that covered as well. 

“You have to make sure you have clear pathways,” he said. “You want as smooth pathways as you can get, so they can get their wheelchairs around. You want to make sure that it is as comfortable as possible for them, but also the open athletes.

“Sometimes things come up and you have to adjust a little bit.”

With all the prep work finished, Vazquez and his crew are ready to enjoy the competition. 

“I am super excited they are coming to the stadium,” he said. “It’s important for my staff to see what Para athletes can do. We wish them the best of luck in the competition.”

Gregg Voss is a journalist based in the Chicago suburbs who has been writing sports for newspapers and magazines for more than 20 years. He is a freelance contributor to usatf.org on behalf of Red Line Editorial, Inc.