Imagine clocking in at the Walmart deli counter, slicing meat for customers the whole time, and then, thanks to your determination and passion, you step onto the global stage, all set to outrun some of the world’s best hurdlers. That’s the grind this young American star hurdler has been living, his story hits differently. But now it’s paying off in a big way. Just last month, the 26-year-old Dylan Beard did something so amazing that it stunned the track world.

Beard stunned the world by winning the 110m hurdles at the Grand Slam Track event in Kingston, Jamaica. Beard, still relatively new to the professional scene after turning pro in 2024, delivered a performance that turned heads. He blazed through the 110m hurdles in 13.29 seconds, a time that secured him the win and marked a significant milestone in his career. That time was just a fraction off his personal best of 13.10 seconds, which had already ranked him as the 10th-fastest hurdler globally in 2024. What made this victory even more impressive was the context:

Beard outran a field of seasoned pros, including Roberts and McLeod, who were expected to dominate. The win netted him a $50,000 prize, a financial boost he later highlighted in his comments to AthleticsWeekly, saying, “Financial boost, my check out… So it’s just something I can add in something that’s worthwhile, dude.” For an athlete who had been working at Walmart’s deli counter to fund his career, that paycheck was more than just a reward—it was a lifeline.

Against a backdrop plastered with “Grand Slam Track,” “Jamaica,” and sponsor logos like Rekortan Tracks and drip, Beard’s victory wasn’t just a personal milestone—it was a statement. Reflecting on the moment, Beard shared his raw excitement saying, “I was so excited to be able to run in Kingston, I didn’t even think I would be able to get the call.” But there was more on his mind.

He added, “So I was definitely excited. It was obviously an opportunity for a financial boost’.  Well, that $50,000 prize check from Kingston didn’t hurt either, giving him a much-needed boost as he eyes his next big race. “I like racing a lot… getting some financial conversation and then also performing”… knowing that I could perform well there. That’s how I was been. It’s all responsibility.” How did Beard go from an unsponsored athlete to a rising star in just over a year?

Dylan Beard’s journey from the Walmart counter to global prominence

Beard’s ascent in the sport has been nothing short of meteoric. Turning pro in 2024, he’s already etched his name among the elite, becoming one of the most prominent hurdlers in the world. Beard clocked in 7.44s to win the men’s 60m hurdles event at the 2024 Millrose Games. Then, at the 2025 Millrose Games, he repeated history by securing the second consecutive win in the same event, when he ran to victory at an impressive 7.38s!

Despite a tough break at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials—where his 13.38-second semifinal run wasn’t enough to make the finals—Beard’s resilience shone through. Now, fresh off his Kingston triumph, he’s gearing up for the next Grand Slam Track event in Miami, starting May 2, 2025, airing on CW and Peacock. But what’s it really like for Beard to juggle his Walmart gig with the demands of a pro athlete?

Here’s where Beard’s story gets even more inspiring. Since October 2023, he’s been balancing his track dreams with a job at Walmart’s deli counter, a gig he took up to fund his career. “I started working at Walmart in October 2023 just to get funds to be able to compete on a professional level in Track and Field. Funds for traveling, treatments, massages, and pretty much everything like that,” Beard told TMZ.

Last year, he was grinding 25 to 30 hours a week, five days a week, manning the meat slicer while training to be one of the fastest hurdlers alive. Now, with Walmart stepping up as a sponsor, plus a $20,000 check from the company presented on The TODAY Show in 2024 to support his Olympic bid, his schedule has eased to one or two days a week. Beard’s journey isn’t just about hurdles on the track; it’s about overcoming financial and logistical barriers. As he prepares for Miami, can this underdog keep defying the odds?