Keely Hodgkinson targets indoor world record after setting UK 800m record in Birmingham - 'My record to break'

Keely Hodgkinson set a new British 800m record at the UK Athletics Indoor Championships in Birmingham on Saturday, and is aiming to take the world record, currently held by Jolanda Ceplak. Hodgkinson will not be at the final on Sunday as she looks to compete instead on Thursday at the Meeting Hauts-de-France Pas-de-Calais in Lievin.

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Keely Hodgkinson is aiming to break the 800m indoor world record after setting a new British record at the UK Athletics Indoor Championships in Birmingham.

The 23-year-old’s time of 1:56.33 in Saturday’s heats beat the previous record - her own - by almost a second.

The time was the fastest indoor time in a women’s 800m in 24 years, and the third-quickest overall.

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The 2024 Olympic gold medalist had already said she would not run in Sunday’s final as she is planning to race in France on Thursday, but Saturday’s heat allowed her to set a time that is eligible for qualifying at the World Indoor Championships, which are set to go ahead on March 20-22 in Poland.

Hodgkinson will be competing at the Meeting Hauts-de-France Pas-de-Calais in Lievin.

"I had to come to qualify for the Worlds and that is why I was only doing one round," she said after her race.

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"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.

"We didn't set out to run a world lead, but I started well and just kept it going. It was a nice surprise. It was a really strong day."

She added. "There were a few nerves because obviously it was my first one since last October, but I enjoy racing - especially because I missed a lot of it last year. I’m in really good shape, the healthiest I’ve been in a long time, so I wanted to make the most of it.

"We planned Lievin six months ago, so that was always the focus. We’ve tried to compromise and get the best of both competitions. I’m happy to get a run out before next week."

Jolanda Ceplak holds the current indoor world record, with a time of 1:55.82, set in 2002.

Hodgkinson explained in no uncertain terms her aims regarding the record, adding: "I have been very vocal in the past about wanting to get it. I feel like it is my record to break. We'll give it a good go."

Elsewhere, Dina Asher-Smith claimed the women’s 60m title with a time of 7.05s in what was a championship record, beating Amy Hunt by a tenth of a second.

The 30-year-old was pleased with her performance, saying after her run that she was "feeling great for this entire indoor season."

She continued: "Sometimes you just have to be patient, get race-sharp and wait for the times to come.

"I was really happy with that final execution. I definitely put together the performance that I wanted for myself today.

"I’m excited to get back to training and work on some things because even though that was a great race, there are still areas that can be tighter. It’s a really exciting place to be. I’ve been having fun improving race on race."

Jeremiah Azu took the men’s 60m, as the European and world indoor champion put down a time of 6.56 seconds.

Molly Caudery won the women’s pole vault title with a height of 4.65m, and Owen Heard won the men’s with 5.55m.

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