Keely Hodgkinson breaks 800m indoor world record in France on her birthday

Keely Hodgkinson ran the 800m indoor race in 1:54.87, breaking a record that stood for 24 years. This is faster than the previous record of 1:55.82.
By Newsroom | Athletics, France |

Keely Hodgkinson has achieved a remarkable feat in athletics, breaking the long-standing women's indoor 800-meter world record. The 23-year-old British runner set a new mark of 1:54.87 at an event in Lievin, France, surpassing a record that had stood for nearly 24 years. This achievement marks a significant milestone in Hodgkinson's career, solidifying her position as a dominant force in middle-distance running. The record-breaking performance occurred on a day with personal significance for Hodgkinson, as it was set on the same day she was born.

How Hodgkinson broke a 23-year-old world record - 1

The Race to a New Record

The quest for the indoor 800m world record was a goal Hodgkinson had openly pursued. After a previous attempt to break the record was hampered by injury, she expressed confidence in her ability to achieve it. Her season began with strong performances, including a new British record of 1:56.33 at the UK Athletics Indoor Championships in Birmingham just days before her world record run. This prior success signaled her readiness to challenge the global benchmark.

Read More: Keely Hodgkinson Breaks 23-Year Indoor 800m World Record in France on Feb 19, 2026

How Hodgkinson broke a 23-year-old world record - 2

The record-breaking race in Lievin saw Hodgkinson compete against a strong field, including Ethiopia's Tsige Duguma and Switzerland's Audrey Werro. She powered through the race, ultimately outpacing her competitors to achieve her target time. Witnesses describe her reaction after crossing the finish line as one of relief and elation, including clapping her hands and celebrating with fellow athletes before collapsing on the track.

How Hodgkinson broke a 23-year-old world record - 3

Context of the Achievement

  • The Previous Record Holder: The record Hodgkinson broke was set by Jolanda Ceplak of Slovenia. Ceplak's time of 1:55.82, set on March 3, 2002, had remained unchallenged for almost a quarter of a century.

  • Hodgkinson's Trajectory: Hodgkinson, already the reigning Olympic champion, has shown consistent improvement. She had previously broken the rarely contested 600m indoor record three years prior. This latest achievement places her in an elite group of British athletes, alongside Jonathan Edwards, to hold a current world record in a championship event.

  • Timing and Personal Significance: The fact that the record was broken on the anniversary of Hodgkinson's birth adds a layer of personal narrative to the event. She had openly stated her intention to break the record set on the day she was born, linking her athletic ambition to a deeply personal date.

Factors Contributing to the Record

Several elements appear to have converged for Hodgkinson's record-breaking performance:

How Hodgkinson broke a 23-year-old world record - 4

  • Physical Preparation: Despite previous hamstring and back issues, Hodgkinson appears to have recovered and is in peak physical condition. Her ability to push through discomfort and injury has been noted.

  • Mental Fortitude: Hodgkinson's confidence in her ability to break the record was evident in her pre-race statements. This self-belief, combined with past experiences, seems to have fueled her determination. Her perspective on her own capabilities, having stated she is "different," suggests a strong mental approach to competition.

  • Event Conditions: The race took place at the World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold meeting in Lievin, France, an environment conducive to fast times. The presence of other strong competitors also likely provided the necessary pace to push Hodgkinson to her limits.

  • Past Setbacks: The report notes her "annus horribilis" (a terrible year) and previous struggles, suggesting that overcoming these challenges may have forged a stronger resolve and a renewed focus.

A Challenging Path to the Top

Hodgkinson's journey to this record has not been without its obstacles:

  • Injury Concerns: She experienced hamstring issues that led to her withdrawing from a planned record attempt in Birmingham and later had further problems following an engagement at Windsor Castle. These physical setbacks highlight the challenges she has had to overcome.

  • Building Momentum: After a "desperate low" in her first year as the reigning Olympic champion, Hodgkinson has shown a significant resurgence. This suggests a period of adaptation and rebuilding after her Olympic success.

  • Prior Performances: Her performance in Birmingham (1:56.33) was already a world-leading time, indicating she was on track. Furthermore, her outdoor personal best of 1:54.74 in Chorzow, Poland, shows she has run even faster outdoors, making the indoor record a natural progression.

Expert and Competitor Reactions

While direct quotes from experts are limited in the provided text, the narratives suggest a significant achievement recognized within the athletics community:

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  • Fellow Competitors: Hodgkinson received congratulations from her fellow athletes immediately after the race, indicating a mutual respect for her accomplishment.

  • Public Perception: The descriptions of her celebrating on the track and taking selfies with her family suggest a widely recognized and celebrated moment.

  • Anticipation: The phrase "the record appeared to be on borrowed time" implies that observers and potentially other athletes had anticipated Hodgkinson would be the one to break Ceplak's mark.

Conclusion and Future Outlook

Keely Hodgkinson's shattering of the 800m indoor world record is a testament to her dedication, talent, and resilience. She has not only achieved a personal ambition but has also etched her name into athletics history. The record, set on a day of personal significance, underscores her growing stature in the sport.

Looking ahead, Hodgkinson has expressed aspirations of running even faster, with a target of 1:53. This suggests her ambition extends beyond this current record. Her upcoming appearances, including a potential 400m race in Glasgow and preparations for the World Indoor Championships in Poland, indicate a continued focus on pushing her boundaries. The athletic world will be watching to see what further milestones she can achieve.

Key Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What record did Keely Hodgkinson break on February 19, 2026?
Keely Hodgkinson broke the women's indoor 800-meter world record. She ran the race in 1 minute and 54.87 seconds. This was a major achievement for the British runner.
Q: Where did Keely Hodgkinson break the 800m indoor world record?
Keely Hodgkinson broke the world record at an athletics event in Lievin, France. The event took place on February 19, 2026. This is a significant location for her achievement.
Q: How much faster is Keely Hodgkinson's new record than the old one?
Keely Hodgkinson's new record is 1:54.87. The old record was 1:55.82, set by Jolanda Ceplak in 2002. Her new time is 0.95 seconds faster than the previous record.
Q: Why is breaking the record on her birthday important for Keely Hodgkinson?
Keely Hodgkinson broke the world record on the same day she was born, February 19. She had wanted to break the record set on her birthday for a long time. This made the achievement very special for her.
Q: What was Keely Hodgkinson's previous best time before breaking the world record?
Before breaking the world record, Keely Hodgkinson ran a time of 1:56.33 at the UK Athletics Indoor Championships in Birmingham. This was a British record and showed she was in good form to challenge the world record.
Q: Who held the previous 800m indoor world record before Keely Hodgkinson?
The previous women's indoor 800-meter world record was held by Jolanda Ceplak of Slovenia. She set the record of 1:55.82 on March 3, 2002. Her record had stood for almost 24 years.