Gabby Thomas is riding an emotional high, and for good reason. Just days after getting the surprise of a lifetime, a picture-perfect marriage proposal from longtime boyfriend Spencer McManes. The Olympic sprint queen is shifting her focus back to what she does best: dominating the track. Their engagement, which was straight out of a fairy tale, took social media by storm. When Vogue unveiled the stunning photos of the newly engaged couple, the internet couldn’t get enough.
Now, after celebrating one of the biggest moments of her personal life, Thomas is gearing up for another major event. Her highly anticipated return to competition. On March 23, 2025, she set the track and field world abuzz with an Instagram post announcing her racing schedule. Sharing a fierce mid-stride photo, she kept it short and sweet. “See you guys on the track very soon .”
The excitement among fans was instant, and with good reason. Thomas is set to kick off her season at the Texas Relays in Austin on March 29, marking the beginning of what promises to be an electrifying year. Thomas wasted no time letting fans know she was back in business. Taking to Instagram, she posted a powerful shot of herself on the track, captioned, “It’s that time of year again…Texas Relays!! Catch me tomorrow in the 4x100m relay at ~1:50 pm CT and the 4x400m relay at 4:05 pm CT.”
It was the perfect way to mark her return. Straight to the point, full of energy, and a reminder that she’s stepping right back into the heat of competition. Texas Relays, a stage where she’s shone before, will serve as the launchpad for what’s shaping up to be an electrifying season. But the Texas Relays are just the beginning. Thomas is set to compete in four major Grand Slam Track (GST) meets before the World Championships in September.
Kingston (April 4-6), Miami (May 2-4), Philadelphia (May 30-June 1), and Los Angeles (June 27-29). This marks her debut in the newly established GST circuit, a revolutionary league crafted by track legend Michael Johnson. Featuring only 96 athletes divided into Racers and Challengers, GST offers something Thomas has been vocal about: bigger prize money and a better athlete-first model. With a $100,000 top prize per event and even the eighth-place finisher walking away with $10,000, the stakes are higher than ever.
If Thomas sweeps all four races, she could secure a massive $400,000 payday. Something no traditional league has ever offered sprinters. Before she takes on GST, though, she’ll have a chance to sharpen her speed at the USA Championships in July-August, likely in Eugene, where she’ll look to defend her 200m title after clocking 21.60 last year. And the season won’t stop there. Gabby Thomas isn’t just back. She’s coming for everything.
Love, gold, and grand ambitions: Gabby Thomas’s next chapter
Gabby Thomas and Spencer McManes might not be the most public couple, but when they do share glimpses of their love, it’s nothing short of heartwarming. Their journey together started in 2022, thanks to a well-placed instinct from a mutual friend. Gabby decided to test the waters with a casual Instagram follow. That move caught Spencer completely off guard.
“I got the notification and thought, ‘That’s crazy!’” he recalled, still amused by the unexpected moment. Without hesitation, he slid into her DMs, kicking off a playful exchange that quickly turned into something much deeper. From their first date to standing side by side through Gabby’s biggest career moments, their bond has only grown stronger.
That unwavering support was on full display in Paris last summer. When Gabby stormed across the finish line in the 200m final, clocking 21.83 seconds to claim Olympic gold, Spencer was right there in the stands, cheering her on with every ounce of excitement. Moments after her victory, Gabby made a beeline for the bleachers, where they shared a quick but unforgettable embrace.
It wasn’t the first time Spencer had front-row seats to her greatness, either. Just a month earlier, in Eugene, Oregon, he had been there to watch her dominate the U.S. Olympic Trials, securing her spot for Paris. Through every triumph, every challenge, and every milestone, Spencer has remained her biggest fan. Now, as Gabby steps into her 2025 season, she’s gearing up for another milestone.
Her debut in Grand Slam Track (GST). She has been a vocal advocate for the league’s athlete-first approach, praising both its financial structure and its commitment to fan engagement. “Michael’s vision is incredibly exciting, and I can’t wait to give the millions of track fans around the world even more chances to watch us compete,” she said, emphasizing her excitement for the league’s future.
With four major GST meets on her schedule, a title defense at the U.S. Championships, and a return to Athlos NYC later in the year, Gabby isn’t just riding the momentum of her Olympic success. She’s building a legacy that goes beyond the podium.
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