Hiltz wins US championships 1,500m title once again

(Corrects pronoun of Hiltz to "their" instead of "her" in paragraph 1)

NEW YORK, July 25 : Nikki Hiltz survived a three-way sprint finish to win a fourth successive outdoor U.S. national 1,500 meters title on Saturday, draping the trans flag around their shoulders as a pioneer for non-binary athletes, while New York's home hope Dalilah Muhammad easily advanced in the women's 400m hurdles.

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 metric mile, breaking the tape after a superb tactical run in four minutes and 6.92 seconds.

Stuck in second around the final turn, Hiltz slipped around the outside of Addy 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.

"My mom's from Long Island so I feel like a little part of me is from here," said Hiltz, with the trans pride flag wrapped around their shoulders. 

Nathan Green won the men's 1,500 meters in 3:50.27.

NEW YORK CHEERS HOME HOPE

The championships came to New York for the first time in more than three decades this year 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.

Queens-born-and-raised Olympic gold medallist Muhammad did enough to win her 400m hurdles heat in 54.80, a year after she was widely expected to call time on her career.

"This is actually first time ever I've had the opportunity (to be) racing here as a pro," said