Keely Hodgkinson has set her sights on breaking the women’s 800m world record after an impressive performance at the UK Athletics Indoor Championships held in Birmingham.
Breaking the British Record
The 23-year-old athlete recorded a remarkable time of 1:56.33 in the heats, surpassing her previous national record by nearly one second. This achievement marks the fastest run in a women’s indoor 800m event in 24 years and stands as the third-fastest time in the history of the discipline.
Preparation and Future Goals
- Event: UK Athletics Indoor Championships
- Date: Recent Saturday
- Location: Birmingham
- Time: 1:56.33
- Previous Record: Broken by almost one second
- Next Event: Scheduled race in France
Hodgkinson confirmed she would not participate in Sunday’s final, citing her commitment to the upcoming race in France on Thursday. She regarded the Birmingham event as a personal challenge necessary for qualifying for the World Indoor Championships in Poland, taking place from March 20-22.
Reflecting on the Performance
“I had to come to qualify for the Worlds, and that is why I was only doing one round,” she stated. “But it was a good test. It is three years since I ran indoors, so I knew I had to go out there and stay focused.”
Despite not initially aiming for a world-leading time, Hodgkinson’s excellent start propelled her to an unexpected victory. “It was a nice surprise. It was a really strong day,” she added.
Looking Ahead
With her recent accomplishments, Keely Hodgkinson is poised to challenge the women’s 800m world record. Her determination and focus will be key as she prepares for the upcoming competitions.
